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ANA Signature Sale 3094 19-20 Aug 2021
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PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter (305-282 BC). AV trichryson or triple stater (pentadrachm) (24mm, 17.79 gm, 1h). NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Alexandria, from ca. 294 BC. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck, tiny Δ behind ear; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed; ΠY monogram in left field, dotted border. CPE 143. Svoronos 222 (Ptolemy II). Extremely rare - only two examples in sales archives, including the present offering, and only two examples known to Svoronos. Well struck from attractive style dies. Great eye appeal.
From the WTR Collection. Ex Numismatica Genevensis, Auction 10 (3 December 2018), lot 21; Vinchon, Auction (25 May 1998), lot 73; Numismatica Genevensis, Auction 7 (27 November 2012), lot 289; Vinchon, Auction (25 May 1998), lot 73
The trichryson, a gold piece of about 24mm and 17.8 grams (the approximate size and weight of an Attic silver tetradrachm), was first introduced by Ptolemy I shortly after he assumed the title of Basileus (king) in 305 BC. The weight was equivalent to five Ptolemaic silver drachms on the reduced Phoenician standard adopted by Ptolemy I (hence the modern term "pentadrachm" usually applied to this denomination) but under the Ptolemaic system the value would have been 12 times as great, or 60 silver drachms - a huge sum in the ancient world. It was the largest gold coin the world had yet seen, testament to the vast wealth of Egypt. The Alexandria mint employed the best engravers in the production of its gold coinage and the quality of portraiture is typically outstanding. The production of gold trichrysons continued under Ptolemy II Philadelphus, with the added feature of a regnal date added between the eagle's legs. Circa 270 BC it was replaced by an even larger gold coin, the mnaieion, worth 100 silver drachms.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-i-soter-305-282-bc-av-trichryson-or-triple-stater-pentadrachm-24mm-1779-gm-/a/3094-33024.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 12000-18000 USD
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter (305-282 BC). AV trichryson or triple stater (pentadrachm) (24mm, 17.79 gm, 1h). NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Alexandria, from ca. 294 BC. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck, tiny Δ behind ear; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed; ΠY monogram in left field, dotted border. CPE 143. Svoronos 222 (Ptolemy II). Extremely rare - only two examples in sales archives, including the present offering, and only two examples known to Svoronos. Well struck from attractive style dies. Great eye appeal.
From the WTR Collection. Ex Numismatica Genevensis, Auction 10 (3 December 2018), lot 21; Vinchon, Auction (25 May 1998), lot 73; Numismatica Genevensis, Auction 7 (27 November 2012), lot 289; Vinchon, Auction (25 May 1998), lot 73
The trichryson, a gold piece of about 24mm and 17.8 grams (the approximate size and weight of an Attic silver tetradrachm), was first introduced by Ptolemy I shortly after he assumed the title of Basileus (king) in 305 BC. The weight was equivalent to five Ptolemaic silver drachms on the reduced Phoenician standard adopted by Ptolemy I (hence the modern term "pentadrachm" usually applied to this denomination) but under the Ptolemaic system the value would have been 12 times as great, or 60 silver drachms - a huge sum in the ancient world. It was the largest gold coin the world had yet seen, testament to the vast wealth of Egypt. The Alexandria mint employed the best engravers in the production of its gold coinage and the quality of portraiture is typically outstanding. The production of gold trichrysons continued under Ptolemy II Philadelphus, with the added feature of a regnal date added between the eagle's legs. Circa 270 BC it was replaced by an even larger gold coin, the mnaieion, worth 100 silver drachms.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-i-soter-305-282-bc-av-trichryson-or-triple-stater-pentadrachm-24mm-1779-gm-/a/3094-33024.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 12000-18000 USD