Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 132. Estimate CHF20000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF20000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopator. 225-205 BC. Octodrachm (Gold, 27.19 g 12), Alexandria. Radiate and diademed bust of the deified Ptolemy III to right, wearing aegis and with trident over his left shoulder Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Radiate cornucopiae bound with royal diadem; below, ΔΙ. BMC 103. Kraay/Hirmer 803. SNG Copenhagen 196. Svoronos 1117. A lustrous, attractive coin. Minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ptolemy IV was a relatively unpleasant character who was infamous for the murder of his mother Berenike II. The portrait on this coin is of his far more popular father, Ptolemy III.