(BC 133-130) Eumenes III - Cistophoric Tetradrachm

Eumenes III Aristonikos (pretender to the throne of Pergamon), 132-130 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (27mm, 12.83g), struck at Thyateira, dated year 1 (of his revolt, 133/2 BC). Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / Bowcase between two serpents; ΘVA to left. Controls: BA-EY across field, horizontal winged thunderbolt above, A (date) below to left; to right, head (of Dionysos?) right. gVF.

A pretender to the Pergamene throne following the death of Attalos III, Aristonikos, adopting the name Eumenes III and claiming to be the son of Eumenes II, secured the kingdom for a brief period, issuing a series of Cistophoroi from Thyateira, Apollonis and Stratonikeia. Attalos had bequeathed the kingdom to the Romans, but they were slow to recognize this fact, and Aristonikos took advantage. Though dated coinage is known for years 2-4, years 1 and 5 are extremely rare, with just a couple specimens known.