Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 98 6-7 Jun 2017
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Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy I Soter. Silver Tetradrachm (15.65 g), as Satrap, 323-305 BC. Alexandria, in the name of Alexander III, ca. 311/0-305 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing elephant's skin headdress, aegis around neck with tiny Δ in scales. Reverse: AΛEΞANΔPOY, Athena Alkidemos advancing right, wielding javelin and holding forth shield; in right field, Corinthian helmet right, monogram, and eagle standing right on thunderbolt. Cf. Svoronos 110 (no helmet); Jenkins grp. A; SNG Copenhagen 19. Well struck in high relief. Lovely old collection toning. NGC grade AU; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Fine style, light graffito. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
After Alexander's former general, Ptolemy, took control of Egypt in 323 BC, he soon began to experiment with new coin types and lighter weight standards than the Attic standard favored by Alexander. These experiments were important because Egypt lacked silver mines of its own and Ptolemy needed to advertise his legitimacy in a world where all of Alexander's generals were out carving kingdoms of their own out of the grand carcass of Alexander's empire. Here Ptolemy emphasizes his close relationship with Alexander by depicting him as conqueror of the East (indicated by the elephant headdress) on the obverse and by identifying the coin as an "issue [of Alexander]" on the reverse. Athena Alkidemos is depicted on the reverse because of her status as a national goddess of the Macedonians and patron of the Argead royal house to which Alexander belonged.
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection.
After Alexander's former general, Ptolemy, took control of Egypt in 323 BC, he soon began to experiment with new coin types and lighter weight standards than the Attic standard favored by Alexander. These experiments were important because Egypt lacked silver mines of its own and Ptolemy needed to advertise his legitimacy in a world where all of Alexander's generals were out carving kingdoms of their own out of the grand carcass of Alexander's empire. Here Ptolemy emphasizes his close relationship with Alexander by depicting him as conqueror of the East (indicated by the elephant headdress) on the obverse and by identifying the coin as an "issue [of Alexander]" on the reverse. Athena Alkidemos is depicted on the reverse because of her status as a national goddess of the Macedonians and patron of the Argead royal house to which Alexander belonged.