Lot 4337

Description

Egypt, Kingdom of, Ptolemy X Alexander I and Cleopatra III, (114-89/8 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (14.22 g), Alexandria mint, issued year 16 and 13 = 102-1 B.C. for each ruler, obv. diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, with dotted border, rev. eagle to left with closed wings, standing on a thunderbolt, to left around **PTOLEMAIOU BASILEW[S]*, to left LIC above I**G*, to right **PA*, (cf.S.7938, SNG Cop. 362, Sv.1731). Dark attractive patination, nearly extremely fine and very scarce.

Ex Superior Stamp & Coin Co. Los Angelos, sold in New York, December 9, 1994 (lot 835).
The two years represent year 16 of Cleopatra III and year 13 of Ptolemy X. After the death of Ptolemy VIII in 116 B.C., Cleopatra III ruled jointly with her mother Cleopatra II and her son Ptolemy IX. (Ptolemy X) Alexander was appointed governor of Cyprus in 113 B.C. (the date he counts his regal year). Her mother died late into the same year or early into the next year (115 B.C.), afterwards Cleopatra III expelled Ptolemy IX from Alexandria in 107/6 B.C., and replaced him as co-regent with her second son Ptolemy X Alexander. After 6 years of joint rule Ptolemy X had his mother Cleopatra III murdered in 101 BC. He was an unpopular king and was driven out of Egypt by his subjects and murdered at sea in 88 B.C.