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KINGS of CAPPADOCIA. Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator. Circa 100-85 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.08 g, 12h). Mint A (Eusebeia under Mt. Argaios). Dated RY 5 (95/4 BC). Diademed head right, with Mithradatic style portrait / Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to inner left, E (date) in exergue. Simonetta 6 (Ariarathes V); SNG Copenhagen Supp. 886–94 (Mint B); HGC 7, 845; DCA2 525. Old cabinet tone, with some iridescence, struck with worn reverse die. Good VF.
Ariarathes IX was the son of the Pontic King Mithradates VI. Mithradates murdered his nephew Ariarathes VII, and placed his 8-year-old son on the throne of Cappadocia. According to Mørkholm (in Essays Robinson and QT 1975), the obverses on the last two years of Ariarathes' mint A coinage carried a portrait of the Pontic king rather than his son. The purpose of the change is uncertain, but it may have been done in relation to the revolt of Ariarathes VIII. Ariarathes VIII was the brother of Ariarathes VII, who was living in exile in the Roman province of Asia. Mørkholm believed that a group of Cappadocian nationalists revolted against the Pontic king, and recalled Ariarathes VIII, who they promoted as king. This revolt was quickly suppressed. As a reaction to this event, it is possible that Mithradates had his portriat placed upon the coinage as a more overt pronouncement of his rule over the Cappadocians via his son.
Closing Date and Time: 4 December 2024 at 11:06:00 ET.
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.
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