Ptolemy I Soter tetradrachm

Description

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

Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I r. with aegis, without Delat behind ear

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

CPE 210. SNG,  Svoronos 344

Very Rare  Near very fine. hard cleaned.

UNCERTAIN Mint 7, Provincial

Ptolemy/eagle Tetradrachms, 294 B.C. or later

The following small issue includes tetradrachms of unusually attractive obverse style, with a unique form of the diadem ties on nos. 210-211. A. Davesne (Meydancıkkale, p. 282) assigned no. 210 to Paphos, associating it with two other tetradrachm varieties of contrasting style (nos. 213 and 500) that share its legend configuration (the royal title is almost straight). Legend configuration is a weak basis for mint attribution, especially since a similar configuration can be observed on many of the early Ptolemy/eagle tetradrachms of Alexandria. A date in the reign of Ptolemy I is fairly likely in view of the presence of three specimens from this issue in the Phacous hoard (IGCH 1678). A control almost identical to that of no. 210 appears on Cyrenean gold staters of the Ptolemy/elephant quadriga type (no. 273 below) and on Cyrenean bronzes of the Ptolemy/eagle type (Vol. 2, B145). However an attribution to Cyrene seems excluded by circulation patterns; Cyrenean coins are attested in only one hoard from outside Cyrenaica.

Bronze chalkoi were associated with this tetradrachm issue (see Vol, 2, B105).