CNG 90, Lot: 674. Estimate $300. Sold for $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Alexander I Balas. 152-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.17 g, 12h). Ptolemaïs (Ake) mint. Dated SE 166 (147/6 BC). Diademed and draped bust right / Eagle standing left on prow left; palm frond behind; to left, ςΞP (date) above monogram; ΠTO to right. SC 1842.4-5 var. (date form, monogram, and mintmark); Rouvier –; cf. HGC 9, 884; DCA 120. Near EF. Unpublished variety.

Although this particular piece, with this date form and monogram, is unpublished, it is struck from the same obverse die used for Ptolemaïs tetradrachms of years 162 and 163 (cf. CSE 796 and 797). No coinage is known for the intervening years, 164 and 165. Interestingly, the date on this coin appears to be engraved over another date, though the underdate is, unfortunately, unreadable.