Ariarathes V — Drachm, Athena Nikephoros, Eusebeia-Mazaca

Struck at Eusebeia-Mazaca in regnal year 33 — 131/130 BC — under Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, King of Cappadocia (163–130 BC). Ariarathes V was the most Hellenized of his line: schooled at Athens alongside the future Attalus II of Pergamon, a patron of Greek philosophy and letters who drew his kingdom firmly into the Greek world. A steadfast ally of Rome and Pergamon, he died fighting on Rome's side against the pretender Aristonicus around 130 BC — the very close of the reign to which this late drachm belongs.

The reverse legend, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ — "Of King Ariarathes the Pious" — frames Athena Nikephoros standing left, holding Nike in her right hand, spear and grounded shield at her left. Control monograms flank the figure and the regnal date ΓΛ (year 33) stands in the field. Athena bearing Victory was the standing reverse of the Ariarathid drachm coinage, proclaiming the martial protection and continuity of the royal house.

Attribution: HGC 7, 811; DCA 454

Mint: Eusebeia-Mazaca

Weight: 4.2 g

Diameter: 16.6 mm

Catalogued in the NumisLens cabinet — NL-GTYYY-GFTDA