Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy I, as satrap, AR Tetradrachm. Memphis, circa 323 BC. In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, holding sceptre; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, rose before, moneyer's signature ΔI-O beneath. Price 3971. 17.23g, 28mm, 11h.
Good Extremely Fine.
Ex European collection, formed prior to 2005.
Alexander tetradrachms marked with the rose symbol and the letters ΔIO have long been admired as one of the most beautiful issues of his coinage. They were struck in Egypt, probably not long after Alexander's death on 10 June 323 BC. Without Alexander's leadership, and with no clear or legitimate heir to the vast empire he had created, Alexander's generals fought amongst themselves and fractured the empire, dividing it into satrapies which they nominally managed on behalf of Alexander's successors, his feeble-minded half-brother Philip Arrhidaios and his unborn son. Ptolemy took Egypt, recognising its great potential. He initially retained Kleomenes, the caretaker Alexander had left in place in Egypt, as his deputy, though subsequently removed him on account of his many excesses and mismanagements, and appropriated the 8,000 talents Kleomenes had accumulated in his treasury. A part of this treasure was turned into new coin, like the present piece, and used to fund Ptolemy's military ambitions.
Good Extremely Fine.
Ex European collection, formed prior to 2005.
Alexander tetradrachms marked with the rose symbol and the letters ΔIO have long been admired as one of the most beautiful issues of his coinage. They were struck in Egypt, probably not long after Alexander's death on 10 June 323 BC. Without Alexander's leadership, and with no clear or legitimate heir to the vast empire he had created, Alexander's generals fought amongst themselves and fractured the empire, dividing it into satrapies which they nominally managed on behalf of Alexander's successors, his feeble-minded half-brother Philip Arrhidaios and his unborn son. Ptolemy took Egypt, recognising its great potential. He initially retained Kleomenes, the caretaker Alexander had left in place in Egypt, as his deputy, though subsequently removed him on account of his many excesses and mismanagements, and appropriated the 8,000 talents Kleomenes had accumulated in his treasury. A part of this treasure was turned into new coin, like the present piece, and used to fund Ptolemy's military ambitions.