| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31032 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients CYRENAICA. Cyrene. Ophellas, Ptolemaic Governor (ca. 322/1-308 BC). AV stater (19mm, 8.51 gm, 1h). NGC AU 5/5 - 2/5, Fine Style, ex-jewelry, brushed. Attic standard. Chairius, magistrate. KYPANAI-ON, charioteer driving quadriga walking right, with reins in both hand, kentron in right hand; radiate sun above, all within linear border / XAIPIOΣ (retrograde), Zeus reclining left on throne, right leg drawn back, feet on stool, eagle standing left with head reverted in outstretched right hand, leaning on left arm draped over partial linear frame containing name of magistrate; thymiaterion to left, all within dotted border. SNG Copenhagen 1209. BMC 116. Rippling luster across the elegant and Fine Style designs. In response to the civil unrest instigated by the Spartan mercenary Thibron's incursion in 322 BC, Ptolemy I Soter dispatched his lieutenant Ophellas westward to Cyrenaica. Ophellas defeated Thibron and consolidated Ptolemaic control over Cyrene. Ptolemy granted Ophellas governorship over this new province for his Egyptian Kingdom, hoping to expand his influence in the region. However, Ophellas' personal military ambitions proved too lofty. The tyrant Agathocles of Syracuse enticed Ophellas with promises of an additional governorship over Carthage, if they could join to defeat the forces of Hamilcar. Despite enduring grueling conditions during their westward march, Ophellas' army arrived. Yet their alliance proved short-lived as Agathocles betrayed Ophellas in 308 BC, assassinating him and slaughtering his troops. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-cyrenaica-cyrene-ophellas-ptolemaic-governor-ca-322-1-308-bc-av-stater-19mm-851-gm-1h-ngc-au-5-/a/3115-31032.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 10000-15000 USD |  |
