Watch List notes:

Kings of Egypt. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV Oktadrachm (Mnaieion). Alexandria. 27.74 gms. Commemorative issue struck under Ptolemy IV Philopator. (221-205 BC). Deified bust of Ptolemy III right, wearing a radiate diadem and aegis, trident over shoulder, middle prong ending in a lotus finial, rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ПToΛEMAIoY, Radiate and filleted cornucopiae, ΔI below. Svoronos 1117, Boston MFA 2283, Kraay-Hirmer 803, SNG Copenhagen 196, BMC 103-4, Noeske 137. Ptolemy IV, whose epithet not surprisingly is Philopator, struck an extensive series of Oktadrachm honoring his father, Ptolemy III. On them the father is given divine attributes: radiate diadem for Helios, aegis for Zeus and trident for Poseidon. The purpose here being to show that Ptolemy III was master of the three Elements – Heaven, Earth and Sea. While Ptolemy IV may have idolized his father, his filial affection certainly didn’t extend to his mother. A drunken, vice-ridden ruler and devotee of orgiastic religious rites, Ptolemy IV ushered in his feeble reign by arranging the murder of his mother -- Berenike II, and his uncle and brother. Light marks and a few small scrapes, typical die rust. Very Fine.

Estimate: - $7,500.00