CNG 97, Lot: 426. Estimate $300. Sold for $220. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. 180-145 BC. AR Didrachm (20.5mm, 6.70 g, 12h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated year 116 of an uncertain era (147/6 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; P Iζ (date) across field. Svoronos 1226; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 170 (A34/P132 [Arados]); SNG Copenhagen 561; Noeske –; BMC 34 (same dies); DCA 76. VF, find patina, a few scratches, Aramaic graffiti in field on obverse.

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.