Lot 3073

Description

Egypt, Kingdom of, Ptolemy I, (323-283 B.C.), gold pentadrachm, issued 305-285 B.C., (17.814 grams), Alexandria mint, obv. diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, with aegis, rev. eagle to left with closed wings, standing on thunderbolt, in front monogram **PAR*, around **BASILEWS PTOLEMAI[OU]*, (S.7757, Sv. 210 [p.36, Pl.VII, 4], cf.SNG Cop.106 [Ptolemy II]). Trace of original mint bloom, good very fine and very rare.

Svoronos knew of only five examples of this variety mostly coming from the one hoard. The monogram was found on a silver tetradrachm in the Meydancikkale hoard and was dated by Davesne and Le Rider to c.284-283 B.C. A similar example with an obverse metal flaw realised in our Sale 67 (lot 1583) a total of $10,135.