Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 126. Estimate CHF10000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF12000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. As satrap, 323-305 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.11 g 12), Alexandria, circa 313/312. Head of the deified Alexander III to right, wearing mitra of Dionysos and elephant skin headdress, with aegis around his neck, and with horn of Ammon on his forehead Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Athena Alkidemos advancing right, hurling spear with her right hand and with shield over her extended left arm; to right, eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt to right with ΔΙ below. SNG Copenhagen 14. Svoronos 33. Zervos Issue XIII. Very rare. A superb piece of the very finest style. Attractively toned. Good extremely fine.

The coinage of Ptolemy I developed in a fairly complex way. He first issued normal issues in the name of Alexander, then changed them by inaugurating a new obverse type showing Alexander wearing an elephant’s skin headdress in circa 321. In 314 this was changed by replacing the seated Zeus on the reverse by an archaizing fighting Athena - Athena Alkidemos. These coins were of Attic weight.