Lot 4173

Description

Egypt, Kingdom of Cleopatra VII Philopator, (51-30 B.C.), AE dichalkon or eighth unit (1.67 g), Paphos mint, obv. diademed and draped bust right, rev. double cornucopiae flanked by ribbons, trace of legend, (S.-, Kreuzer p.43; Sv.1161 (Ptolemy IV), Weiser -, SNG Cop.649, CNG 69 [lot 737]). Very fine/fair, rare.

Ex Dr Adrian Carr Collection and purchased from Walter Holt.

Kreuzer, in his book The Coinage System of Cleopatra VII and Augustus in Cyprus, assembled evidence pointing towards a later date for the small Ptolemaic bronzes in circulation on Cyprus, attributing them to Cleopatra VII, rather than the time of Ptolemy IV and Arsino‰ III. The evidence includes the discovery of a Ptolemaic mint at Paphos, striking these small coins at the very end of the Ptolemaic period.