Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 151. Estimate CHF9000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF14000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. As satrap, 323-305 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 15.52 g 1), Alexandria, c. 311-306 BC. 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 left, monogram; to right, monogram and eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt to right. Svoronos 139. SNG Copenhagen 23. Beautifully toned and very well struck on a broad flan. Extremely fine.

From the Mieza collection, ex Peus 380, 3 November 2004, 653 and Hess-Leu 36, 17 May 1968, 377.

This is a typical example of the Alexander/Athena tetradrachms that were issued by Ptolemy I, who, at the time, was officially still only the satrap of Egypt. The portrait of Alexander is of very good quality, but it is less emotional than that on the extremely rare gold stater in lot 149 above. As for the figure of Athena on the reverse, she is Athena Alkidemos - Athena Defender of the People) who was the patron goddess of Pella in Macedon. She is moving quickly, bare-footed on tip toes, and must be just about to strike with the spear she holds in her right hand.