GREEK COINS
EGYPT
Ptolemy V Epiphanes, 205-180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26mm, 13.83 g 1), Alexandria. Aristomenes, 197/6. Draped bust of the youthful Ptolemy Epiphanes to right, wearing diadem ornamented with a laurel wreath. Rev. ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Winged thunderbolt; above the wings to left and right, 8-rayed star; below the wings to left, ΑΡ; to right, spearhead. SNG Copenhagen 527. Svoronos 1249 and pl. XLI, 4. Extremely rare (Svoronos only knew of three examples) and unusual. With considerable remains of horn silver, much of which is probably removable, and corrosion, otherwise, very fine/about extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection, ex SKA Monetarium FPL 46, Autumn 1986, 105.
Aristomenes of Akarnania was Ptolemy V's regent, 201-197/6. It has been suggested that this coin was issued for the young king's Anakleteria, the festival when he came of age (at 12) and took over the reins of government himself.