| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 30056 Price realized: 13,000 USD (Approx. 11,851 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter (323-282 BC). AV tetarte (1/10 trichryson) or triobol (hemidrachm) (12mm, 1.79 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 4/5, edge scuff. Alexandria, ca. 294-285 BC. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings spread; MY monogram in left field. CPE 155. Svoronos 200. Solidly struck from fresh, sculptural dies. Only one of three tetartes to receive the star designation for superior eye appeal, and deservedly so. The lifelike portrait is immaculate, while each design element on the eagle is crisp and sharp as well. From the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum. Ex Tkalec, October Auction (24 October 2003), lot 156. Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt, started out life as the son of the Macedonian nobleman Lagus; a later tale that he was an illegitimate son of Philip II (and thus Alexander's half-brother) was probably fabricated. He was a friend and intimate of Alexander III the Great from boyhood and accompanied him on his great career of conquests from 333-323 BC. Upon Alexander's death in 323 BC, Ptolemy was granted the prized satrapy of Egypt, the richest of the formerly Persian provinces. Alone among the Diadochi ("successors"), he was content with his sphere of influence and did not risk all to succeed Alexander. However, he was not above using the great conqueror's image and reputation to secure his own position. He hijacked Alexander's funeral cortege as it was proceeding back to Macedon and had his embalmed corpse formally interred at Memphis in Egypt; later the body was relocated to a splendid mausoleum in Alexandria. Ptolemy's early coinage is modeled on that of Alexander and carries the conqueror's image and name. The image of the elephant, which Macedonian armies first encountered on the battlefield in northern India, was prominently employed. The first tetradrachms and rare gold staters struck by Ptolemy during his satrapy depict Alexander wearing an elaborate elephant-skin headdress. After Ptolemy declared his own kingship in 305 BC, Alexander's head on the obverse was replaced by his own unequivocal portrait, making him the first Hellenistic monarch to take this step (though both Philip II and Alexander had used portraits of themselves "disguised" as the deities Zeus and Heracles). This amazing gold tetarte, struck late in his reign, shows Ptolemy wearing about his neck the protective aegis of Athena. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-i-soter-323-282-bc-av-tetarte-1-10-trichryson-or-triobol-hemidrachm-12mm-1/a/3113-30056.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 3000-4000 USD |  |
Match 1:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31035 Price realized: 7,000 USD (Approx. 6,381 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter (323-282 BC). AV trichryson or triple stater (pentadrachm) (24mm, 17.80 gm, 1h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5, edge bend. Alexandria, from ca. 294 BC. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck, tiny Δ behind ear; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed; AM monogram in left field, dotted border. CPE 171. Svoronos 204. Lovely example with expressive portrait, elegantly rendered on a lustrous flan bathed in rich gamboge yellow hues, From The Bob Klein History of Money Collection. Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3051 (9 January 2017), lot 34041 https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-i-soter-323-282-bc-av-trichryson-or-triple-stater-pentadrachm-24mm-1780-gm-/a/3113-31035.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 10000-12000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31039 Price realized: 18,000 USD (Approx. 16,409 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (26mm, 27.79 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 3/5. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV, ca. 219-217 BC. Bust of deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and detailed aegis, ornate trident over left shoulder, the central tine ornamented with lotus finial; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, cornucopia bound with radiate royal diadem, containing grain ear, pyramidal cake, and pomegranate, grape cluster hanging from left side of rim; ΔI below, dotted border. CPE 888. Svoronos 1117. A charming, round portrait of youthful elegance exquisitely presented on a dazzling, reflective surface, enriched by the warm embrace of rich honey-yellow toning. The radiant backdrop accentuates the visage, creating a harmonious blend of color and form. From The Bob Klein History of Money Collection. Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3051 (9 January 2017), lot 34044. No other kingdom or empire in the ancient world at the time could produce such large gold coins, and this display of economic clout drew thousands of mercenary soldiers into Egypt's service. This large and powerful army was put to maximum use by the third king of the Ptolemaic dynasty, Ptolemy III Euergetes. Shortly after inheriting the throne of the Pharaohs, he launched a massive invasion of the neighboring Seleucid Kingdom of Syria. Easily crushing all resistance, he even reached Babylon, where he proclaimed himself King of Kings. Ptolemy III's powerful portrait appears on gold mnaieions struck by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, who succeeded him in 221 BC. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-iii-euergetes-246-222-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-26mm-2779-gm-12h-ngc-ch/a/3113-31039.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 14000-16000 USD |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 30058 Price realized: 18,500 USD (Approx. 16,865 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.79 gm, 12h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV, ca. 219-217 BC. Bust of deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and detailed aegis, ornate trident over left shoulder, the central tine ornamented with lotus finial; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, cornucopia bound with radiate royal diadem, containing grain ear, pyramidal cake, and pomegranate, grape cluster hanging from left side of rim; ΔI below, dotted border. CPE 888. Svoronos 1117. Bold, high-relieve obverse with peripheral reflective luster, and nearly full dotted borders. From the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum. Ex Freeman & Sear, private sale (26 May 2010). No other kingdom or empire in the ancient world at the time could produce such large gold coins, and this display of economic clout drew thousands of mercenary soldiers into Egypt's service. This large and powerful army was put to maximum use by the third king of the Ptolemaic dynasty, Ptolemy III Euergetes. Shortly after inheriting the throne of the Pharaohs, he launched a massive invasion of the neighboring Seleucid Kingdom of Syria. Easily crushing all resistance, he even reached Babylon, where he proclaimed himself King of Kings. Ptolemy III's powerful portrait appears on gold mnaieions struck by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, who succeeded him in 221 BC. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-iii-euergetes-246-222-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-27mm-2779-gm-12h-ngc-ch/a/3113-30058.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 15000-25000 USD |  |
Match 4:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3114 | Auction date: 16 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 33174 Price realized: 15,000 USD (Approx. 13,779 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter (305/4-282 BC). AR stater or tetradrachm (27mm, 17.09 gm, 11h). NGC AU★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Attic standard, Alexandria, struck in the name of Alexander III the Great, ca. 312/11-306 BC, obverse die signed by the artist Δ. Diademed head of Alexander III right, wearing elephant headdress, mitra, and scaly aegis tied before neck; small Δ (artist's signature) to the right of the elephant's ear in the scales, dotted border / AΛEΞΑΝΔPOY, Athena advancing right, brandishing spear in right hand, shield on raised left arm; EY in inner right field, eagle standing right on thunderbolt to lower right, with closed wings. CPE 47. Svoronos 42. This Star and Fine Style piece stands as a phenomenal example, boasting attractive cabinet toning throughout its exquisite craftsmanship. Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3071 (7 January 2019), lot 33210. Of all the the successors of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy more than any other sought to associate himself with the dead conqueror. As Alexander's body was traveling through Syria on its way to Macedon in 321 BC, Ptolemy kidnapped it and brought it to Egypt, where he was then ruling as satrap. A magnificent tomb was set up at Alexandria to house Alexander's remains. The whole operation was a terrific public relations move on Ptolemy's part; he now ruled the richest province of Alexander's empire from a capital that bore his name and housed his remains. His early coinage bore Alexander's portrait, as does this example. After defeating Perdiccas the same year, Ptolemy was the strongest of Alexander's former generals and could have made a bid to control all the conquered territories, but he had the wisdom to be content with wealthy Egypt. He spent the last 25 years of his life building up his kingdom in Egypt, which would go on to become the most prosperous, stable, and long-lasting of the major Hellenistic kingdoms, surviving until the death of his distant descendant Cleopatra in 30 BC. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-i-soter-305-4-282-bc-ar-stater-or-tetradrachm-27mm-1709-gm-11h-ngc-auand-9733-/a/3114-33174.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3114-01162024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 5:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31031 Price realized: To Be Posted | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (26mm, 27.71 gm, 12h). NGC XF 4/5 - 3/5, test mark. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV, ca. 219-217 BC. Bust of deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis, ornate trident over left shoulder, the central tine ornamented with lotus finial; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, cornucopia bound with radiate royal diadem, containing grain ear, pyramidal cake, and pomegranate, grape cluster hanging from left side of rim; ΔI below, dotted border. CPE 888. Svoronos 1117. Bright and lustrous, with a high-relief portrait. From the Eardley and Ethel Madsen Collection. The Ptolemaic dynasty's most warlike ruler, the portrait of Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC) appears on gold mnaieions struck by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, who succeeded him in 221 BC. The great conqueror appears almost bloated; while likely an accurate portrait, his well-fed appearance is also visual shorthand for Egypt's bountiful abundance. Ptolemy III also sports an array of godly attributes, including the rayed crown of Helios, the trident of Poseidon, and the aegis of Zeus. The reverse depicts a cornucopia, again symbolizing the abundance of Egypt. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-iii-euergetes-246-222-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-26mm-2771-gm-12h-ngc-xf/a/3115-31031.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 10000-15000 USD |  |
