Watch List notes:

KINGS OF CAPPADOCIA. Ariobarzanes III Eusebes Philoromaios, 52-42 BC. Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 3.86 g, 1 h), year 11 = 42-41 BC. Diademed and bearded head of Ariobarnazes to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΟΒΑΡΖΑΝΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ Athena standing left, holding Nike, spear, and shield; star and crescent to left, monogram to right, IA (date) in exergue. HGC 7, 853. Simonetta 3c. Well struck and toned, and with a surprisingly good portrait of Ariobarnazes III. Good very fine.


Despite proclaiming himself a "friend of the Romans" he was executed by Cassius in 42 BC, the year this coin was struck. This was probably because he supported Caesar, which made him, to Cassius at least, "a friend of the wrong Roman".