Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy VI Philometor Æ Obol. Cyprus, First sole reign, 180-170 BC. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right / Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; lotus flower in left field, EYΛ between legs; countermark: Seleukid anchor. Svoronos 1398 (Ptolemy VI with Eulaios); Lorber, Lotus Series VI.3; Weiser 152 (Ptolemy VI with Eulaios); SNG Copenhagen 294; Noeske –. 15.64g, 26mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine. Sand patina.
As seen on this example, many of the coins of Ptolemy VI's first sole reign in Egypt are found countermarked with the anchor of the Seleukid Empire, and also often appear to have had the name ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ defaced on the reverse. Antiochos IV of the Seleukid Empire invaded Egypt during the first sole reign of Ptolemy VI, and it is thought that coins with the countermark were perhaps captured during the invasion and marked for circulation in the Seleukid Empire, and that those such as this piece that have suffered iconoclasm as well were struck from captured dies and subsequently countermarked.