Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction III 31 March 2012
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Ptolemaic Egypt. Ptolemy III Euergetes AV Oktadrachm. Alexandria, circa 221-205 BC, under Ptolemy IV. Bust of the deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis; trident over left shoulder, middle prong ending in lotus finial / Radiate and filleted cornucopia, ΔI below; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY around. Svoronos 1117; SNG Copenhagen 196; Noeske 137; Boston MFA 2283; Kraay & Hirmer 803. 27.80g, 27mm, 12h.
Good Extremely Fine.
The complex identification of Ptolemy–Helios-Poseidon-Zeus on Ptolemy III’s posthumous coin portraits show the king with radiate diadem, trident-sceptre, and chlamys-shaped aegis. The king retains his own character and features, while the attributes express various divine powers, without the image actually having to define the nature of his relationship with the gods. Here the attributes are most clearly royal-divine, rather than simply divine, because each is formally adapted on its nearest analogue among the purely royal insignia: aegis-chlamys, trident-sceptre, radiate crown-diadem. The gold oktadrachms honouring Ptolemy III are among the most remarkable of all the series of Ptolemaic coinage.
Good Extremely Fine.
The complex identification of Ptolemy–Helios-Poseidon-Zeus on Ptolemy III’s posthumous coin portraits show the king with radiate diadem, trident-sceptre, and chlamys-shaped aegis. The king retains his own character and features, while the attributes express various divine powers, without the image actually having to define the nature of his relationship with the gods. Here the attributes are most clearly royal-divine, rather than simply divine, because each is formally adapted on its nearest analogue among the purely royal insignia: aegis-chlamys, trident-sceptre, radiate crown-diadem. The gold oktadrachms honouring Ptolemy III are among the most remarkable of all the series of Ptolemaic coinage.