KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR. Aristoboulos. AD 54-92. Æ (26.5mm, 12.23 g, 12h). Citing Nero as Emperor. Dated RY 13 (AD 66/7).

Triton XXV
Lot: 308. Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 4 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR. Aristoboulos. AD 54-92. Æ (26.5mm, 12.23 g, 12h). Citing Nero as Emperor. Dated RY 13 (AD 66/7). BACIΛEΩC [API]CTOBOYΛOY ET [IΓ], diademed head left / NEPΩ/NI • KΛAY/ ΔIO • KAICA/ PI CEBACTΩ/ ΓEPMAN/[I]KΩ in six lines within wreath. Kovacs 301; Meshorer –; Hendin 1257; Sofaer 171; RPC I 3839. Attractive dark green patina with a few small breaks at edge. Good VF. With a good portrait. Very rare.

Aristoboulos 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 Aristoboulos, 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). Aristoboulos’s long reign would suggest he was a loyal client of Rome, as does the evidence we can glean from his coinage.

Interestingly, coins of Aristoboulos 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 Aristoboulos’s 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 Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session One – Greek Coinage (Part 1) will be held Tuesday morning, 11 January 2022 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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