CNG 93, Lot: 622. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. First sole reign, 180-170 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 14.32 g, 11h). Uncertain mint on Cyprus. Dated year 88 of an uncertain era (175/4 BC). Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; ΠH (date) to left. Svoronos 1110; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 142 (A30/P101) = BMC p. 102, 16 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 546; Noeske –; DCA 73. EF, a bit bright, starting to retone. Rare.

The mint and era of this enigmatic coinage has been much debated. For the most recent discussion, see C. Lorber, “The Ptolemaic era coinage revisited,” NC 167 (2007), pp. 105-17. Traditionally assigned to Arados, Lorber argues for a Cypriot mint, perhaps Arsinoe near Salamis. Although the era is uncertain, a starting date of 262/1 BC has been accepted by Lorber and most scholars.