CNG 103, Lot: 405. Estimate $300. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy V Epiphanes. 204-180 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 14.10 g, 1h). Uncertain Cypriot or Phoenician mint. Dated year 71 (192/1 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis around neck / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; OA (date) in left field. Svoronos 1090; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 34–5 (A8/P– [unlisted rev. die]); SNG Copenhagen 541 var. (date); DCA 73. VF, toned, two-line Aramaic graffiti in field on reverse. Well centered on a broad flan.

The sigma in the legend is retrograde; a feature found on two of the three reverse dies identified by Mørkholm for this date. The long graffiti is interesting; the first line appears to be a name, probably reading ABGBAL, while the second line is less certain, perhaps reading PWPAMHN.