CNG 97, Lot: 425. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. 180-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 12.86 g, 12h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated year 91 of an uncertain era (172/1 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; AP monogram (date) to left. Svoronos 1207; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 170 (A48/P125 [Arados]); SNG Copenhagen 548; Noeske –; SNG Berry 1490 (same dies); DCA 73. Good VF, toned, some porosity and light cleaning marks.

From the Patrick H. C. Tan Collection.

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. Although this issue is 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.