Lot 4725

Description

Cappadocia, Ariobarzanes III Eusebes Philoromaios, (52-42 B.C.), silver drachm (3.75 g), Eusebeia mint under Mount Argaios, obv. diademed bearded head to right, rev. Athena Nikephoros standing left, star and crescent to inner left, [AI] (year 11 = 42 B.C.), in exergue, around traces of **BASILEWS ARIOBARZANOU EUSEBOUS KAI FILORWMAIOU*, (S.7304, Simonetta 6b, HGC 7, 853 [R2], SNG Delepierre 2931, SNG Von Aulock 6326, BMC 4). Good very fine, Slightly off centred on the reverse, rare.

Ex Dr. Adrian Carr Collection and purchased from Brad Nelson (CNG) from the Nelson Collection with his ticket.
This issue belongs to the large issue of coinage in the final year of Ariobarzanes III's reign. Simonetta notes that the legends on these are often blundered (as on this coin), with many letters ligate. The size of the issue, combined with these blundered legends, leads one to believe that the issue was one of expediency and probably military-related or needed for some indemnity.
Ariobarzanes III had many connections to Rome. He was patronized by Cicero and sided with Pompey against Caesar. Nevertheless, Caesar forgave him in the aftermath, and even helped him fight Pharnaces II, king of Pontos. In 42 BC, Cassius, one Caesar's assassins, ordered his death. It is believed that he may have been the grandson of Mithradates VI, as his father, Ariobarzanes II, was probably betrothed to the Pontic king's daughter when Ariobarzanes I and Mithradates were reconciled after the Second Mithradatic War. Such would explain the symbolizm on the reverse; the crescent moon surmounted by a star is a classic Pontic symbol.