Catálogo
| Emisor | Kings of Cappadokia |
|---|---|
| Año | 333 BC - 322 BC |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valor | Drachm (1) |
| Moneda | Drachm |
| Composición | Silver |
| Peso | 5.40 g |
| Diámetro | 19 mm |
| Grosor | |
| Forma | Round (irregular) |
| Técnica | Hammered |
| Orientación | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Grabador(es) | |
| En circulación hasta | |
| Referencia(s) | Simonetta#3 Aulock#6256 Copenhagen#629 Greek#3 |
| Descripción del anverso | 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. |
|---|---|
| Escritura del anverso | Aramaic |
| Leyenda del anverso |
(Translation: Baal-Gazur) |
| Descripción del reverso | Griffin left attacking stag kneeling left; “Ariarathes” (in Aramaic) below. |
| Escritura del reverso | Aramaic |
| Leyenda del reverso |
(Translation: Ariarathes) |
| Canto | |
| Casa de moneda | |
| Tirada |
ND (333 BC - 322 BC) - - |
| ID de Numisquare | 9961162710 |
| Información adicional |
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.