Second Known

CNG 88, Lot: 552. Estimate $500. Sold for $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. First sole reign, 180-170 BC. Æ (46mm, 96.69 g, 11h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus(?). Struck shortly before 170/68 BC. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; lotus to left, EYΛ between legs, c/m to right: uncertain object within incuse rectangle. Royal name erased on coin. Svoronos 1395 var. (no lotus); cf. Lorber, Lotus, Series VI; Weiser -; SNG Copenhagen -; Lanz 144, lot 349 (with countermark). VF, heavy green patina. Extremely rare denomination for series, the second known.

It is thought that this series, with lotus and EYΛ, was struck in Cyprus just prior to the invasion of the Seleukids under Antiochos IV in 168 BC. The Seleukids briefly occupied Cyprus during this conflict, and it is theorized that there was a massive seizure of this coinage, which was subsequently taken as booty back to Syria, where many were countermarked for circulation in the Seleukid territories. The fact that a number of coins in this series are known to have the royal name, ΠTOΛEMAIOY, erased, as here, further supports this contention.