Catalog
| Issuer | Kings of Cappadokia |
|---|---|
| Year | 333 BC - 322 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Drachm (1) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 5.40 g |
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Simonetta#3 Aulock#6256 Copenhagen#629 Greek#3 |
| Obverse description | 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. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Aramaic |
| Obverse lettering |
(Translation: Baal-Gazur) |
| Reverse description | Griffin left attacking stag kneeling left; “Ariarathes” (in Aramaic) below. |
| Reverse script | Aramaic |
| Reverse lettering |
(Translation: Ariarathes) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (333 BC - 322 BC) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 9961162710 |
| Additional information |
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.