Cappadocia Ariarates VIII AR Tetradrachm, Antiochus VII, c. 100-85 BC

Ariarates VIII of Cappadocia, Tetradrachm, silver, reign 101–96 BC, struck 100–85 BC, 16.55 g, 28 mm. Anepigraphic obverse: diademed head of Antiochus VII right, with very long hair falling at the back of the neck. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ANTIOXOY EYEPΓETOY; Athena standing left, resting left hand on grounded shield and holding Nike left; vertical spear rising from the arm; laurel-wreath border; monograms in field. Cappadocian mint, struck in the name of Antiochus VII. Centered strike with full reverse legend and wreath. Reference: SC 2150.1.

Historical significance: After the death of Antiochus VII, his Athena-Nikephoros tetradrachm became a regional standard, and Cappadocian rulers continued the type to ensure acceptance in Anatolian and Syrian markets. Under Ariarates VIII, amid pressure from Mithradates VI of Pontus and growing Roman involvement, Cappadocia issued these posthumous Seleucid-style pieces on the Attic standard; the distinctive long hair at the nape identifies the Cappadocian series and assists modern attribution.