Published in Mørkholm

CNG 94, Lot: 789. Estimate $750. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. 180-145 BC. AR Didrachm (22mm, 7.03 g, 1h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated year 1xx of an uncertain era. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; P[...] (date) on thunderbolt. Cf. Svoronos 1209–15; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 244 (this coin; Arados mint); DCA 76. EF, toned.

Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 337 (August 1972), no. 15 (as Ptolemy V).

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 (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. Regarding this particular coin, the entire date is off the flan (only the hundreds digit is showing), but the date must be in the range of 100–108, as the date shifts to the field in year 109.