PHRYGIA, Kibyra. Circa 166-84 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 2.67 g, 12h). Dated year 16 of an uncertain era. Head of Kibyras right, wearing crested Attic helmet / KIBYPATΩ[N], armored cavalryman, holding spear, on horse galloping right; wreath to upper left, IC below. Unpublished in the standard references with wreath symbol and this date. Good VF, toned. New date for a rare and enigmatic series.
The Greek coinage of Kibyra poses a number of problems. While some bear names of individuals, be them magistrates, priests, or tyrants (one tyrant, Moagetes, appears to be named on drachms), others seem to carry letters/numerals which can be read as dates in place of or in addition to the names. Tetradrachms of “helmeted and draped bust of Kibyra/cavalryman right” type dated to year 1 (BMC 2), year 2 (Weber 7056), and year 11 (Schlessinger 13 [Hermitage, 4 February 1935], lot 1363) are known. Additionally, there is an exceptionally rare if not unique tetradrachm dated year 1 with a facing lion’s scalp on the obverse in place of the head of Kibyra (Münzen & Medaillen XIX [5-6 June 1959], lot 505). Drachms dated from year 1 (SNG von Aulock 3705, with the head of Kibyra within a laurel wreath), year 11 (SNG von Aulock 3704; BMC 12-13), year 40 (SNG von Aulock 3709), and year 48 (BMC 10) have been published, but an issue for year 16 appears to be otherwise unrecorded. Bronze coins, clearly later in date, also bear the dates for years 21 and 28, which are thought to be “Sullan era” dates corresponding to 65/4 and 58/7 BCE, respectively. So what is the era of the date on the silver coinage? Two likely candidates for the start of the era are the Peace of Apameia in 188 BC, when Kibyra came under the control of the Attalid King Eumenes II of Pergamon, and 166 BC, counting down from the victory of Eumenes II over the Galatians. The latter date fits better stylistically and would place the striking of this coin around 151/0 BC.
