Triton XVII, Lot: 427. Estimate $500. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. First sole reign, 180-170 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.93 g, 12h). Uncertain mint on Cyprus. Dated year 89 of an uncertain era (174/3 BC). Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis / ΠTOΛEMAIOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; ΠΘ monogram (date) to left. Svoronos 1111; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 148–9 (obv. die A33); SNG Copenhagen –; Noeske –; BMC p. 102, 17; DCA 73. Near EF, light iridescent toning around the devices.

From the Leo & Paula Gorelkin Collection.

The mint and era of this enigmatic coinage have 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.