Triton XVIII, Lot: 791. Estimate $500. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy IV Philopator. 222-205/4 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 13.72 g, 11h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated year 49 of an uncertain era (214/3 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck / ΠTOΛEMAIOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; MΘ (date) across field. Svoronos 851; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 19 (A5/P15 – this coin); SNG Copenhagen –; Noeske –; Seyrig, Trésors p. 29, 36 (same dies); DCA 73. Near EF, toned, double struck on reverse. Rare date.

From the collection of the MoneyMuseum, Zurich. Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG 88 (17 May 1999), lot 99; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 205 (November 1960), no. 353.

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.