KINGS OF CAPPADOCIA. Ariarathes VII Philometor, circa 111/0-100/99 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 16.51 g, 1 h), in the types of Antiochos VII of Syria. Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka), circa 104/3-103/2. Diademed head of Ariarathes VII to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / APIAPAΘOY - ΦIΛOMH-TOPOΣ Athena standing front, head to left, holding Nike in her right hand and resting her left on shield decorated with gorgoneion and set on ground; spear behind her; to outer left, monogram above A; to inner left and right, O-Λ; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ pl. XLIV, P = Mørkholm, Coinages, pl. 42, 14. Houghton & Lorber, Cappadocian, Series 1, Issue 1, 1 (A1/P1). Simonetta 1. Extremely rare, one of less than a dozend known examples of this very interesting issue. An attractive example with an unusually individual portrait, struck from the earliest die pair in the series. Good very fine.


This coin is part of an extremely rare emission of Cappadocian tetradrachms bearing the actual portrait and name of the issuer, Ariarathes VII. Houghton & Lorber linked them to the Bithynian invasion of Cappadocia in 104/3-103/2 BC, in the course of which Ariarathes may have deemed it necessary to replace the image and name of the Seleukid King Antiochos VII on the regular Cappadocian tetradrachms with his own to boast his claim to power and strengthen the loyalty of his supporters. In 103/2, Mithradates VI Eupator drove the Bithynians out of Cappadocia and confirmed the rulership of Ariarathes VII, but the young Cappadocian king was killed by his new ally with his own hands on a peace conference in circa 100/99 and replaced by one of Mithradates' underage sons, who assumed the name Ariarathes (IX) Eusebes Philopator.