Sale: Nomos 2, Lot: 150. Estimate CHF4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 17 May 2010.  Sold For CHF5200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphos. 285-246 BC. (Bronze, 17.74 g 12), Alexandria, circa 250 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ Eagle with spread wings standing left on thunderbolt; to left, shield. SNG Copenhagen 114 ff. Svoronos 610. With a lovely brown patina, an exceptionally fine coin for this series. Good extremely fine.

From the Patrick H. C. Tan Collection, ex Nomos FPL 2, Winter-Spring 2009, 88.

The bronze coinage of the Ptolemies was extensive and very well-used. Silver and gold issues were reserved for major expenses, especially for the military and for imports, while bronzes were used domestically. Thus, very large numbers of bronzes were issued in a wide variety of denominations, but the vast majority preserved today are very worn. Really splendid pieces, like this one, are very rarely encountered, especially ones so stylistically excellent.