Drachm of Ariarates I (333-322 BC) from Pichvnari

Abstract

Aim of this work is to describe the silver coin, found during the Georgia-British archaeological expedition in 2007, from 227th Helinistic grave, to determine the country, city, years of emission and meteorogical parameters, to obtain paralell material, reporting reasoning and maps of coin circulation in the research area. As a result of the conducted research, it was determined that the coin is a drachma minted in the city of Gaziura in the name of King Ariarathes I (333-322 BC) of the Kingdom of Cappadocia. Drachmas minted in different cities of Cappadocia entered Georgia in large quantities and were the main means of circulation in Roman times. There are coins minted in the name of the kings of Cappadocia in the Hellenistic period as well, but only a few units, mainly from western Georgia. The discovery of a coin minted in Pichvnari with the name of Ariarates I is of great importance, since it is the earliest Cappadocian coin discovered in our country - the circulation of money minted in the city of Gaziura of the Kingdom of Cappadocia was recorded for the first time not only in the research area, but throughout Georgia as well. If we look over the material of the Hellenistic period of Pichvnari, we will see that the ceramic material of the city of Sinope is dominating - we have the same situation in the numismatic monuments. It is entirely possible that the drachma I of Ariarates appeared in Pichvnari through Sinopian products.