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Feature Auction
CNG Feature Auction 114

Lot nuber 368

KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR. Aristoboulos. AD 54-92. Æ (26.5mm, 16.32 g, 11h). Dated RY 17 (AD 70/1).


CNG Feature Auction 114
Lot: 368.
 Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Bronze

Sold For $ 6 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR. Aristoboulos. AD 54-92. Æ (26.5mm, 16.32 g, 11h). Dated RY 17 (AD 70/1). BACIΛEΩC APICTOBOYΛOY ET IZ, diademed head left; c/m: monogram within square incuse / TITΩ/ OΥECΠA/CIANΩ AY/TOKPATO/P CEBAC/TΩ in six lines within wreath. For coin: Kovacs 301; Meshorer 367a; Hendin 1258; Sofaer 172; RG 3; RPC II 1692. For c/m: Kovacs 24; Howgego pl. 33, 722.1. Earthen green-brown patina. VF. Very rare, particularly with full legends visible, even though weak in some spots.

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’ 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’ coins were issued in the context of the revolt as a way for the Herodian ruler to reaffirm his faithfulness to Rome. Although Vespasian was emperor at the time this coin was issued, the reverse refers to Titus, who successfully suppressed the revolt in Judaea.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 114 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2020. This lot is in Session 1, which begins 13 May 2020 at 9 AM ET.

UPDATE: As the CNG staff and many of our clients remain under social distancing and other restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CNG 114 will be held as an internet only auction. The sale will take place as scheduled on 13-14 May 2020.

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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