Greek Coin | Kingdom of Cappadocia

Silver drachms struck in Cappadocia during the late Hellenistic period reflect a kingdom balancing Greek cultural traditions with the realities of power in eastern Anatolia. Issued under a succession of kings from the late second to the mid-first century B.C., these coins typically present a Hellenized royal portrait on the obverse, often idealized and influenced by Seleucid and broader Greek numismatic styles. The reverse commonly features Greek legends naming the ruler, along with traditional symbols such as Athena, Nike, or seated deities, signaling legitimacy through familiar Greek imagery even as Cappadocia remained culturally distinct from the Mediterranean heartland.

Historically, these drachms belong to a turbulent era, as Cappadocia navigated pressure from Pontus, internal dynastic struggles, and increasing Roman intervention. The coinage reflects this instability: portraits change noticeably from reign to reign, and stylistic quality can vary, suggesting shifting mint control and economic strain. Struck in silver to meet regional trade needs and royal payments, these pieces circulated alongside other Hellenistic and Roman coins, serving as both currency and political messaging. Today they offer a compact record of a frontier kingdom asserting continuity and authority while gradually being drawn into Rome’s expanding sphere of influence.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your coin will look very similar to the ones shown in the photos.

These come from the monetized economy of Hellenistic Anatolia, where silver coinage was produced in large quantities to support trade, taxation, and military pay. Cappadocian drachms were struck at royal mints and entered circulation across the region, where they were frequently saved, lost, or intentionally buried during periods of unrest. Many surviving examples trace back to hoards concealed in antiquity, especially during the wars and political instability of the first century B.C., when communities and individuals hid silver for safekeeping and never returned to recover it. The durability of silver allowed these coins to survive centuries underground with their designs intact.

In modern times, most examples surface through documented hoard dispersals and long-established numismatic channels rather than isolated chance finds. Their presence on the market reflects the scale of ancient minting and repeated hoarding events, not modern manufacture, and their ownership and trade are legal in the United States and most other countries when handled through reputable dealers and auctions. As a result, Cappadocian drachms are obtainable today as authentic remnants of ancient circulation, preserved by burial and time rather than by continuous use.