(BC 130-112/0) Ariarathes VI - Drachm

Ariarathes VI Epiphanes Philopator, ca 130-112/0 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.18g, 12h). Mint C (Komana?). Diademed head right, wearing short beard / Athena standing left, holding wreath and palm; monograms to inner left and outer right, I in exergue. VF, lightly toned, a few light marks on obverse. Unpublished with bearded portrait.

The standard depiction is of Athena Nikephoros, but here she holds a wreath and palm rather than Nike and spear. The Cappadocian warrior-goddess Enyo-Ma was their local version of Athena, and Mørkholm thought this rendition of Athena may have been more closely based on the standard depiction of this local goddess, whose temple was at Komana. This unusual depiction only occurred on Mørkholm's issues 3 and 4 at mint C, and he was uncertain of the underlying reason for its appearance. Mint C was apparently established during the reign of Ariarathes VI, most likely due to uncertain military necessities. Although the location of the mint at Komana is not certain, issues of this mint have a metrological affinity with those of mint A (Eusebia-Mazaka [Caesarea]), suggesting a location proximate to the latter.