Extremely Rare Laodicean Tetradrachm

Triton XXII, Lot: 650. Estimate $3000. Sold for $4750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Laodicea ad Mare. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.77 g, 12h). KAIΣAPOΣ ΣEBAΣTOY, laureate head of Augustus right; BΛ below chin / IOYΛIEΩN [T]ΩN [KAI] ΛA-OΔIKEΩN ΣE, turreted, veiled, and draped bust of Tyche right; Φ below chin. Prieur 1101; BMC 30; RPC Supp. 4381.4 (this coin). Good VF, deeply toned, minor scratch on cheek of Tyche. Extremely rare, apparently the 4th known and the only example in private hands.

From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex Alberto Campana Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 64, 17 May 2012), lot 1025; Gemini III (9 January 2007), lot 339; Freeman & Sear FPL 11 (Spring/Summer 2006), no. 88.

If we interpret the BΛ on the obverse as a date (32) this issue would correspond to 16 BC, but, as noted in RPC, the style of the portrait suggests a later date, circa 5 BC.