★ Extremely Rare Year 5 Cistophor of Eumenes III ★

LYDIA. Stratonikeia. Eumenes III (Aristonikos) (Pretender to the throne of Pergamon, 132-130/29 BC). Cistophor. Dated year 5 (of his revolt = 129 BC).

Obv: Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath.
Rev: ΣΤΡΑ.
Bowcase between two serpents; BA to inner left, EY to inner right, E (date) in middle.

Kleiner & Noe Series 4, dies 5/[unlisted rev. die]; Pinder -; Robinson 14, dies E/[unlisted rev. die] = BMC 1 var. (year 4); Numismatik Naumann 53, lot 297 (which realized a hammer of €850).

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, none had been previously known for year 5, outside of the aforementioned specimen in our auction 53. The highly interesting example, which shares an obverse die with an issue from year 4, must represent the extremely rare group of coins struck at the outset of his short-lived final year in power before being captured, paraded through Rome and ultimately executed.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 12.50 g.
Diameter: 27 mm.