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KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR. Aristobulus. 54-71/72 CE. Æ Oktachalkon (25mm, 11.65 g, 12h). Citing Nero as emperor. Chalcis(?) mint. Dated RY 13 (66/7 CE). Diademed and draped bust of Aristobulus left; ET • IΓ (date) in legend / NEPΩ/NI • KΛAY/ ΔIO • KAICA/ PI CEBACTΩ/ ΓEPMANI/KΩ in six lines within wreath. Kovacs 299; Meshorer 366 corr. (date); Hendin 6285; RPC I 3839; Sofaer 171. Earthen brown patina, slight porosity. VF. A superb specimen.
Aristobulus was the son of Herod of Chalkis and the great-grandson of Herod the Great. Josephus serves as our only literary source for the reign of Aristobulus, informing us that he was appointed king of Armenia Minor by Nero in AD 54 (Ant. XX.158). He married Salome (daughter of Herod II and widow of Philip the Tetrarch), who has traditionally been identified as the young woman who demanded the head of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29). Aristobulus’ long reign would suggest he was a loyal client of Rome, as does the evidence we can glean from his coinage.
Interestingly, coins of Aristobulus were only struck for regnal years 13 and 17 (AD 66/7 and AD 70/1), which coincide with the outbreak and conclusion of the Jewish War. This seems to indicate that Aristobulus’ coins were issued in the context of the revolt as a way for the Herodian ruler to reaffirm his faithfulness to Rome.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 13 May at 2 PM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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