Ptolemy I Soter Unpublished

Description

Unpublished Ptolemy I Soter Silver Tetradrachm, Alexandria,  294/282 Bc.
Date: 305-282 BC.

Obv: head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck; small Δ behind ear.

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; monograms to the left.

CPE 140. SNG,  Svoronos 233 “But Octadrachm”

No other Tetradrachm example in Coin Archive , Near Exteremly Fine.

The Ptolemaic currency reform culminated c. 305/300 by Ptolemy I’s replacement of his tetradrachms bearing a portrait of Alexander with those displaying his own head. This was the first true portrait of one of Alexander’s successors and was startlingly realistic. The tiny letter Δ found in his hair behind the ear is the initial of the master-engraver who designed the coin.