Obverse Die Marked K

CNG 100, Lot: 1604. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. As satrap, 323-305 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 16.33 g, 12h). Attic standard. Alexandreia mint. Struck in the name of Alexander III of Macedon, circa 316-312/0 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing elephant's skin headdress; tiny K to lower right of elephant ear / Athena Alkidemos advancing right; to right, ΔI and eagle standing right on thunderbolt. Svoronos 33α (K not noted); Zervos Issue 16, obv. die 273; SNG Copenhagen –; BMC 12 corr. (control marks). Good VF, toned, some porosity on reverse, a few faint scratches under tone. Extremely rare with tiny K on obverse, Zervos notes only 9 examples from 2 obverse dies.

From “The Olympians” Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 90 (23 May 2012), lot 761; Roma II (2 October 2011), lot 337.

While the small Δ is commonly found on Ptolemy’s obverse dies, the appearance of the K is extremely rare. It is tempting to assume these are die engraver signatures, but Zervos notes that this is far from proven. Given the diversity of styles found with the Δ mark, it does appear unlikely.