Katalog
| Emittent | Kings of Cappadokia |
|---|---|
| Jahr | 333 BC - 322 BC |
| Typ | Standard circulation coin |
| Nennwert | Drachm (1) |
| Währung | Drachm |
| Material | Silver |
| Gewicht | 5.40 g |
| Durchmesser | 19 mm |
| Dicke | |
| Form | Round (irregular) |
| Prägetechnik | Hammered |
| Ausrichtung | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Stempelschneider | |
| Im Umlauf bis | |
| Referenz(en) | Simonetta#3 Aulock#6256 Copenhagen#629 Greek#3 |
| Aversbeschreibung | Baal of Gaziura seated left, torso facing, holding grapes, grain ear, and eagle in extended right hand, lotus-tipped scepter in left; B’L GZYR (in Aramaic) to right. |
|---|---|
| Aversschrift | Aramaic |
| Averslegende |
(Translation: Baal-Gazur) |
| Reversbeschreibung | Griffin left attacking stag kneeling left; “Ariarathes” (in Aramaic) below. |
| Reversschrift | Aramaic |
| Reverslegende |
(Translation: Ariarathes) |
| Rand | |
| Prägestätte | |
| Auflage |
ND (333 BC - 322 BC) - - |
| Numisquare-ID | 9961162710 |
| Zusätzliche Informationen |
Historical Context: This silver drachm was issued by Ariarathes I, the first independent king of Cappadocia, during his reign from 333 to 322 BC. This era followed Alexander the Great's death, a period of immense political flux. Ariarathes, a former satrap, established an autonomous kingdom, resisting the encroaching Diadochi. Issuing coinage from Gaziura was a potent symbol of his burgeoning sovereignty and independence from Macedonian control, asserting his authority over the region.
Artistry: While the specific engraver remains anonymous, the coin's artistry reflects the prevailing Hellenistic stylistic school, blending Greek numismatic traditions with local Cappadocian identity. Typical drachm designs feature a prominent ruler's head or revered deity on the obverse, rendered with classical proportions. The reverse often depicts a standing or seated deity, or a symbolic animal relevant to the kingdom, executed with careful attention to form. The overall aesthetic conveyed regal authority and cultural sophistication.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this drachm weighs 5.40 grams and measures 19 millimeters, adhering to the standard Attic weight system. Key high-points susceptible to wear typically include the highest relief elements of the obverse portrait, such as hair or crown, and prominent features on the reverse motif. A well-preserved example exhibits a strong, even strike, good centering of the dies on the flan, and a complete rendering of all design elements, indicating careful minting practices at Gaziura.