Cappadocian Drachm

For anyone interested in a little history of the Cappadocians; After bringing the Persian Empire to an end, Alexander the Great tried to rule the area through one of his military commanders. But Ariarathes, a Persian aristocrat, somehow became king of the Cappadocians. Ariarathes I (332â€"322 BC) was a successful ruler, and he extended the borders of the Cappadocian Kingdom as far as to the Black Sea. The kingdom of Cappadocia lived in peace until the death of Alexander. The previous empire was then divided into many parts, and Cappadocia fell to Eumenes. His claims were made good in 322 BC by the regent Perdiccas, who crucified Ariarathes; but in the dissensions which brought about Eumenes's death, the son of Ariarathes recovered his inheritance and left it to a line of successors, who mostly bore the name of the founder of the dynasty. Under Ariarathes IV, Cappadocia came into relations with Rome, first as a foe espousing the cause of Antiochus the Great, then as an ally against Perseus of Macedon. The kings henceforward threw in their lot with the Republic as against the Seleucids, to whom they had been from time to time tributary. Ariarathes V marched with the Roman proconsul Publius Licinius Crassus Dives Mucianus against Aristonicus, a claimant to the throne of Pergamon, and their forces were annihilated (130 BC). The imbroglio which followed his death ultimately led to interference by the rising power of Pontus and the intrigues and wars which ended in the failure of the dynasty.

Gamma lambda in exergue is year 33 in Greek numerals making this coin a last year of reign example. I'd call this a nice looking one.

I have found that coins from the kingdoms of Alexander the Great (after his death) tend to command a lower price compared to their mainland Greek counterparts. As a history buff, I quite like this.

Wow, impressive coin and background. I too am a fan of post Alex kingdoms and 3d coins just the same. I have but one drachm of Ariobarzanes iii (sp) a king alot later, and a coin not nearly as nice. Kudos!

Great coin! Great history!
Thanks for sharing!