(BC 163-130) Ariarathes V - Drachm

Ariarathes V Eusebes Philopator, ca 163-130 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.33g, 12h). Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left; monograms to inner left and outer right, ΓΛ in exergue. Good VF, lightly toned.

The attribution of much of the middle Cappadocian series has long been the subject of debate, primarily between B. Simonetta and O. Morkholm. Morkholm's attribtions appear to be more firmly grounded, particularly in hoard studies, and thus his conclusions that the earliest silver drachms are those of Ariarathes V and that the exergual letters on this series are not regnal dates are likely correct. As such, the latest studies and SNGs have attributed this portion of the series following his conclusions.