Lydia, Tripolis. Time of Tiberius, 14-37 AD. AE 15mm, Menandros Philocaesar - Rare

Lydia, Tripolis. Time of Tiberius, 14-37 AD. AE 15mm (3.20g). Menandros Metrodoros Philokaisar, magistrate. ΤΡΙΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ, laureate head of Apollo right, lyre to right / ΜΕΝΑΝ-ΔΡΟΣ ΦΙΛΟ-ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΤΟ Δ in three lines, maeander pattern below.

RPC I, 3057; BMC p. 364, 6-7; SNG Cop. 714. 

Almost VF, reverse a bit flat.  Rare. 

The epithet Philokaisar (lat. Philocaesar) means "lover of Caesar" in Greek.  Several Bosporan kings (Roman client kings) took on this name to show their allegiance to Rome.  Although known from coins as a magistrate at Tripolis, nothing more about this particular Menander is known, but he may be a descendant of Titus Appius Menander, a Roman Senator during 1st century BC known from the works of Flavius Josephus.