Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 479 21 Oct 2020
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PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter. As satrap, 323-305/4 BC. AV Stater (17.5mm, 8.50 g, 12h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Kyrene mint. Struck under Ophellas or Magas, circa 310-305 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with serpent / Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; in left field, die erasure (of silphion plant?) and monogram; below left wing, eagle standing left. CPE 264 var. (silphion plant below right wing); Price 3988 var. (same); Naville 235 var. (same; same obv. die as Naville 236). Lightly toned, deposits, edge marks from prior bezel, light marks. VF. An unpublished, and apparently unique variety.
From the El Medina Collection.
This interesting new variety may clarify the arrangement of the gold staters of Alexander type struck under Ptolemy I at Kyrene. Previously, the issue with monogram, eagle, and silphion plant (CPE 264 = Price 3988 = Naville 235) preceded the issue where the silphion plant moved to the left field (CPE 265 = Price 3989 corr. = Naville 236). However, on this example, it appears that a reverse die that had been used for the issue of CPE 265 was modified, with the silphion plant erased and the monogram engraved over the erasure, and used to strike an intermediate issue with the monogram, but lacking any silphion plant. As the silphion plant appears to be the mintmark for Kyrene, it is likely that this new issue was then modified with the addition of the silphion plant under the right wing of Nike (CPE 264). The obverse die link here with an example of CPE 265 comports with such an arrangement. Whether the absence of the silphion plant on the present issue was intentional, or an oversight by the engraver, is unknown.
From the El Medina Collection.
This interesting new variety may clarify the arrangement of the gold staters of Alexander type struck under Ptolemy I at Kyrene. Previously, the issue with monogram, eagle, and silphion plant (CPE 264 = Price 3988 = Naville 235) preceded the issue where the silphion plant moved to the left field (CPE 265 = Price 3989 corr. = Naville 236). However, on this example, it appears that a reverse die that had been used for the issue of CPE 265 was modified, with the silphion plant erased and the monogram engraved over the erasure, and used to strike an intermediate issue with the monogram, but lacking any silphion plant. As the silphion plant appears to be the mintmark for Kyrene, it is likely that this new issue was then modified with the addition of the silphion plant under the right wing of Nike (CPE 264). The obverse die link here with an example of CPE 265 comports with such an arrangement. Whether the absence of the silphion plant on the present issue was intentional, or an oversight by the engraver, is unknown.