Kings of Cappadocia, Ariarathes VII Philometor (115/114-101 BC), Tetradrachm struck with the types of Antiochos VII of Syria; AR (g 16,51; mm 28; h 12); Diademed head r., fillet border, Rv. ΒΑΣΙΛEΩΣ / ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ - ΦΙΛΟΜΗ - ΤΟΡΟΣ, Athena standing l., holding Nike and resting hand on a shield ornamented with Gorgoneion; transverse spear behind her; on l., monogram above A, and O; on r., Λ; all within laurel wreath. Simonetta, p. 35, note 1 = O. Mørkholm, "The Coinages of Ariarathes VI and Ariarathes VII of Cappadocia", in SNR 57, 1978, p. 149,1 = Alram 157 = Callataÿ pl. 44,P (same reverse die); Parthica 2007, Ar. VII 2/1 (this coin) and p. 116 - Appendix II.
Only two specimens known. Cabinet tone, beautiful portrait in full Hellenistic style; extremely fine.

From the Bono Simonetta Collection; ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VI, 14 January 2003, lot 444.

Unlike the very few Ariarathes VII Tetradrachms know, the present specimen has an obverse portrait that is clearly that of the Seleukid King Antiochos VII (138-129 BC). Mørkholm, in SNR 57, notes the obvious Seleukid flavor of these tetradrachms, and speculates that the engraver was from Antioch. Interestingly, there is a tetradrachm issued in the name of Antiochos VII at “Antioch” which bears the same reverse type, including the control marks, with the sole difference being the king's name and epithet: EYEPΓETOY. The most plausible explanation for our coin is that it was struck at a mint (presumably in Cappadocia) that had been striking posthumous tetradrachms in the name of Antiochos VII. When Ariarathes VI died, the mint needed to strike a special tetradrachm in the name of the new king, Ariarathes VII. As the die engraver had no model for the new king’s portrait, a die of Antiochos VII was employed for the obverse, with a new reverse die in the name of Ariarathes. When the image of Ariarathes VII became known, a die was cut with Ariarathes’ own portrait, and it is this second die which was used to strike the previously known tetradrachms of Ariarathes. The present transitional issue is therefore of considerable interest, enabling us to re-assign and redate the associated issue in the name of Antiochos VII which bears the same control marks. This coinage of Antiochos VII, which Newell gave to Antioch, must have been struck posthumously in a Cappadocian mint, although the reasons for such a coinage are yet to be resolved. [Text by A. Houghton].