Catalogo
| Emittente | Kings of Cappadokia |
|---|---|
| Anno | 333 BC - 322 BC |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valore | Drachm (1) |
| Valuta | Drachm |
| Composizione | Silver |
| Peso | 5.40 g |
| Diametro | 19 mm |
| Spessore | |
| Forma | Round (irregular) |
| Tecnica | Hammered |
| Orientamento | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Incisore/i | |
| In circolazione fino al | |
| Riferimento/i | Simonetta#3 Aulock#6256 Copenhagen#629 Greek#3 |
| Descrizione del dritto | 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. |
|---|---|
| Scrittura del dritto | Aramaic |
| Legenda del dritto |
(Translation: Baal-Gazur) |
| Descrizione del rovescio | Griffin left attacking stag kneeling left; “Ariarathes” (in Aramaic) below. |
| Scrittura del rovescio | Aramaic |
| Legenda del rovescio |
(Translation: Ariarathes) |
| Bordo | |
| Zecca | |
| Tiratura |
ND (333 BC - 322 BC) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 9961162710 |
| Informazioni aggiuntive |
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.