Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 24 30 January 2016
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Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy IV Philopator AV Oktadrachm (Mnaieon). Alexandria, circa 217 BC. Radiate and diademed bust right of deified Ptolemy III wearing aegis and with trident resting on his shoulder / ΠΤΟΛEΜΑΙΥ BAΣΙΛEΩΣ, radiate cornucopiae bound with royal diadem, ΔI below. Svoronos 1117; SNG Copenhagen 196. 27.74g, 25mm, 1h.
Ancient pressure mark on reverse edge at 9 o'clock, otherwise very pleasant with traces of lustre around portrait and in between legends, expressive portrait, Good Very Fine.
The complex identification of Ptolemy–Helios-Poseidon-Zeus on Ptolemy III's posthumous coin portraits show the king with radiate diadem, trident-sceptre, and chlamys-shaped aegis. The king retains his own character and features, while the attributes express various divine powers, without the image actually having to define the nature of his relationship with the gods. Here the attributes are most clearly royal-divine, rather than simply divine, because each is formally adapted on its nearest analogue among the purely royal insignia: aegis-chlamys, trident-sceptre, radiate crown-diadem. The gold oktadrachms honouring Ptolemy III are among the most remarkable of all the series of Ptolemaic coinage.
Ancient pressure mark on reverse edge at 9 o'clock, otherwise very pleasant with traces of lustre around portrait and in between legends, expressive portrait, Good Very Fine.
The complex identification of Ptolemy–Helios-Poseidon-Zeus on Ptolemy III's posthumous coin portraits show the king with radiate diadem, trident-sceptre, and chlamys-shaped aegis. The king retains his own character and features, while the attributes express various divine powers, without the image actually having to define the nature of his relationship with the gods. Here the attributes are most clearly royal-divine, rather than simply divine, because each is formally adapted on its nearest analogue among the purely royal insignia: aegis-chlamys, trident-sceptre, radiate crown-diadem. The gold oktadrachms honouring Ptolemy III are among the most remarkable of all the series of Ptolemaic coinage.