Masterpiece of Hellenistic Portraiture

Triton XIX, Lot: 169. Estimate $30000. Sold for $18000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PERGAMON. Philetairos. 282-263 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 17.12 g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Struck circa 269/8-263 BC. Diademed head of Seleukos I right / ΦIΛETAIPOY, Athena, wearing crested Corinthian helmet and long chiton, enthroned left, extending right hand to hold shield decorated with gorgoneion to left, left arm cradling long scepter and resting on throne back in the form of a small sphinx seated right; to left, herm left; bow to outer right, monogram in exergue. Ingvaldsen, Philetaerus 7 (dies I/3); Newell, Pergamene, 11 (dies XII/25); SC 309.3; SNG France 1598–1602 var. (control marks); Gulbenkian 966 var. (same; same obv. die); Hermitage Sale II 1197 (same dies). Good VF, toned, trace deposits and cleaning marks. High relief portrait. Extremely rare issue, only three noted by Ingvaldsen, none in CoinArchives.