Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Ptolemy I Soter as king, 305–285.
Stater, Cyrenaica under Magas circa 300-282, AV 7.11 g. Diademed bust r., with aegis around neck. Rev. ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ / BAΣIΛEΩΣ Quadriga of elephants driven l. by figure of deified Alexander, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; in exergue, monogram. Svoronos 102. Naville, Cyrene 245 (this coin). CPE 271 (this coin listed).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among the finest
specimens known of this interesting issue. Struck on a very large flan
and complete. Extremely fine
From the Lucien Naville collection and a Distinguished Swiss Collection. The earliest Greek gold coins of Egypt were struck in the form of the standard 'Alexandrine' staters showing the head of Athena and the standing figure of Nike. They were first issued by Alexander, and after he departed they were produced by his regent in Egypt, Cleomenes of Naucratis. Once Ptolemy became satrap of Egypt in 323 B.C., he continued to issue Athena-Nike gold staters until about 310. Except for some issues produced for Nikokreon and Menelaos in Cyprus and Ophellas in Cyrene, the pattern of Egyptian gold coinage was not changed until c.313/311, when it seems Ptolemy authorised a special issue at Alexandria (see NAC 46, lot 303). It had no inscription and portrayed the deified Alexander wearing horns, an aegis and an elephant headdress, and on its reverse showed a prow. The next issue, struck sometime between c.304 and 295, is of the type offered here. It was an innovation on many levels since it not only bore the diademed portrait of Ptolemy, but an inscription on the reverse that describes Ptolemy as king, a title he had taken in the late summer or autumn of 306. The weight was also innovative, as it was the first of his gold coins to use the lighter, Ptolemaic/Phoenician standard. For the main issue, presumably struck in Alexandria, there are at least 15 recorded variants based on different monograms and monogram combinations. Somewhat later, it seems, this type was also produced on a smaller scale in Cyrene during the rule of Magas. The head of Alexander that appears on many of Ptolemy's coins, as well as his depiction in an elephant quadriga, helped reinforce Ptolemy's claim of being the inheritor of Alexander's legacy, a tradition he initiated in 322/1 by taking possession of Alexander's body while it was in transit from Babylon to Macedon. He initially brought the corpse to Memphis, but eventually it was placed in a grand tomb in Alexandria, remaining an object of worship. After this issue of gold staters, Ptolemy's remaining gold coins (perhaps issued from about 295 to 284/3) were of a standard type showing his portrait on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, typically with the Delta signature secreted behind Ptolemy's ear.
Stater, Cyrenaica under Magas circa 300-282, AV 7.11 g. Diademed bust r., with aegis around neck. Rev. ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ / BAΣIΛEΩΣ Quadriga of elephants driven l. by figure of deified Alexander, holding thunderbolt and sceptre; in exergue, monogram. Svoronos 102. Naville, Cyrene 245 (this coin). CPE 271 (this coin listed).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among the finest
specimens known of this interesting issue. Struck on a very large flan
and complete. Extremely fine
From the Lucien Naville collection and a Distinguished Swiss Collection. The earliest Greek gold coins of Egypt were struck in the form of the standard 'Alexandrine' staters showing the head of Athena and the standing figure of Nike. They were first issued by Alexander, and after he departed they were produced by his regent in Egypt, Cleomenes of Naucratis. Once Ptolemy became satrap of Egypt in 323 B.C., he continued to issue Athena-Nike gold staters until about 310. Except for some issues produced for Nikokreon and Menelaos in Cyprus and Ophellas in Cyrene, the pattern of Egyptian gold coinage was not changed until c.313/311, when it seems Ptolemy authorised a special issue at Alexandria (see NAC 46, lot 303). It had no inscription and portrayed the deified Alexander wearing horns, an aegis and an elephant headdress, and on its reverse showed a prow. The next issue, struck sometime between c.304 and 295, is of the type offered here. It was an innovation on many levels since it not only bore the diademed portrait of Ptolemy, but an inscription on the reverse that describes Ptolemy as king, a title he had taken in the late summer or autumn of 306. The weight was also innovative, as it was the first of his gold coins to use the lighter, Ptolemaic/Phoenician standard. For the main issue, presumably struck in Alexandria, there are at least 15 recorded variants based on different monograms and monogram combinations. Somewhat later, it seems, this type was also produced on a smaller scale in Cyrene during the rule of Magas. The head of Alexander that appears on many of Ptolemy's coins, as well as his depiction in an elephant quadriga, helped reinforce Ptolemy's claim of being the inheritor of Alexander's legacy, a tradition he initiated in 322/1 by taking possession of Alexander's body while it was in transit from Babylon to Macedon. He initially brought the corpse to Memphis, but eventually it was placed in a grand tomb in Alexandria, remaining an object of worship. After this issue of gold staters, Ptolemy's remaining gold coins (perhaps issued from about 295 to 284/3) were of a standard type showing his portrait on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, typically with the Delta signature secreted behind Ptolemy's ear.