Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XI 7 April 2016
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Kingdom of Macedon, Ptolemy Keraunos AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Lysimachos of Thrace. Lysimacheia, 281-280 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; BAΣIΛEΩΣ to right, ΛYΣIMAXOY being crowned by Nike to left, to inner left, head of lion left above elephant standing left; ΘE monogram on throne. W. Hollstein. "Münzen des Ptolemaios Keraunos" in SNR 74 (1995), p.14, fig. 1 [= Pozzi collection 1169] (same dies); Boutin, Collection Pozzi, 2627; cf. Hollstein p. 14, fig. 2 [= ex Leu sale 42, 1987, 163] (same obverse die). 16.93g, 32mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare - the third known example.
Now known from three silver tetradrachms and two gold staters, this extremely rare and short-lived issue has been convincingly argued by W. Hollstein to have been struck under Ptolemy Keraunos, the eldest son of Ptolemy I of Egypt and the assassin of Seleukos I. Forced to leave Egypt after his younger half-brother was first named heir apparent and then ascended the throne in 282 as Ptolemy II, Keraunos travelled to the court of Lysimachos where his half-sister Arsinoe was queen and his sister Lysandra resided, married to Lysimachos' son Agathokles.
After Agathokles was executed for treason - an accusation encouraged by Arsinoe in order to position her own sons by Lysimachos to inherit the kingdom - Keraunos and Lysandra travelled east to court aid from Seleukos, prompting the expedition that began shortly afterwards and ended with the death of Lysimachos at the Battle of Korupedion in 281. Keraunos moved quickly to secure his own position and assassinated Seleukos.
Though known as a personal symbol of Seleukos, the elephant on this issue is thought to refer to the war elephants supplied by Keraunos to his ally Pyrrhos of Epeiros for his Italian expedition, while the use of the types of Lysimachos is a clear indication that his intent was to portray himself as the successor of his former protector. That this type was struck for such a brief period is due to the death of Keraunos in battle against the invading Celts, as the collapse of Lysimachos' kingdom opened the way for their southern migration.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare - the third known example.
Now known from three silver tetradrachms and two gold staters, this extremely rare and short-lived issue has been convincingly argued by W. Hollstein to have been struck under Ptolemy Keraunos, the eldest son of Ptolemy I of Egypt and the assassin of Seleukos I. Forced to leave Egypt after his younger half-brother was first named heir apparent and then ascended the throne in 282 as Ptolemy II, Keraunos travelled to the court of Lysimachos where his half-sister Arsinoe was queen and his sister Lysandra resided, married to Lysimachos' son Agathokles.
After Agathokles was executed for treason - an accusation encouraged by Arsinoe in order to position her own sons by Lysimachos to inherit the kingdom - Keraunos and Lysandra travelled east to court aid from Seleukos, prompting the expedition that began shortly afterwards and ended with the death of Lysimachos at the Battle of Korupedion in 281. Keraunos moved quickly to secure his own position and assassinated Seleukos.
Though known as a personal symbol of Seleukos, the elephant on this issue is thought to refer to the war elephants supplied by Keraunos to his ally Pyrrhos of Epeiros for his Italian expedition, while the use of the types of Lysimachos is a clear indication that his intent was to portray himself as the successor of his former protector. That this type was struck for such a brief period is due to the death of Keraunos in battle against the invading Celts, as the collapse of Lysimachos' kingdom opened the way for their southern migration.