Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
KINGS of ARMENIA MINOR. Aristoboulos. AD 54-92. Æ (26.5mm, 12.23 g, 12h). Citing Nero as Emperor. Dated RY 13 (AD 66/7). BACIΛEΩC [API]CTOBOYΛOY ET [IΓ], diademed head left / NEPΩ/NI • KΛAY/ ΔIO • KAICA/ PI CEBACTΩ/ ΓEPMAN/[I]KΩ in six lines within wreath. Kovacs 301; Meshorer –; Hendin 1257; Sofaer 171; RPC I 3839. Attractive dark green patina with a few small breaks at edge. Good VF. With a good portrait. Very rare.
Aristoboulos was the son of Herod of Chalkis and the great-grandson of Herod the Great. Josephus serves as our only literary source for the reign of Aristoboulos, informing us that he was appointed king of Armenia Minor by Nero in AD 54 (Ant. XX.158). He married Salome (daughter of Herod II and widow of Philip the Tetrarch), who has traditionally been identified as the young woman who demanded the head of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29). Aristoboulos' long reign would suggest he was a loyal client of Rome, as does the evidence we can glean from his coinage.
Interestingly, coins of Aristoboulos were only struck for regnal years 13 and 17 (AD 66/7 and AD 70/1), which coincide with the outbreak and conclusion of the Jewish War. This seems to indicate that Aristoboulos' coins were issued in the context of the revolt as a way for the Herodian ruler to reaffirm his faithfulness to Rome.
Aristoboulos was the son of Herod of Chalkis and the great-grandson of Herod the Great. Josephus serves as our only literary source for the reign of Aristoboulos, informing us that he was appointed king of Armenia Minor by Nero in AD 54 (Ant. XX.158). He married Salome (daughter of Herod II and widow of Philip the Tetrarch), who has traditionally been identified as the young woman who demanded the head of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29). Aristoboulos' long reign would suggest he was a loyal client of Rome, as does the evidence we can glean from his coinage.
Interestingly, coins of Aristoboulos were only struck for regnal years 13 and 17 (AD 66/7 and AD 70/1), which coincide with the outbreak and conclusion of the Jewish War. This seems to indicate that Aristoboulos' coins were issued in the context of the revolt as a way for the Herodian ruler to reaffirm his faithfulness to Rome.