Sale: Nomos 9, Lot: 188. Estimate CHF8000.  Closing Date: Monday, 20 October 2014.  Sold For CHF11500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopator, 225-205 BC. Oktadrachm or Mnaieon (Gold, 25mm, 27.83 g 12), Alexandria. Radiate and diademed bust of the deified Ptolemy III to right, wearing aegis and with trident over his left shoulder. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Radiate cornucopiae bound with royal diadem; below, ΔΙ. BMC 103. Kraay/Hirmer 803. SNG Copenhagen 196. Svoronos 1117. An attactive, clear coin, free of the usual bangs and defects, and with an excellent, high relief portrait. Some flatness from striking, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Canonicus collection.

This coin was produced by Ptolemy IV in honor of his highly popular father, Ptolemy III: he himself was supposedly an unpleasant, debauched character who allowed venal ministers to rule as they wished. He did, however, manage to keep Egypt relatively free from foreign adventures and fostered the development of native Egyptian entitlement.