HistoricalCoins

Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 727. Closing Date: Jun 08, 
2005. PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy III 
Euergetes. 246-221 BC. AV Oktadrachm (27.73 gm, 
12h). Alexandria mint. Commemorative issue 
struck under Ptolemy IV, 221-205 BC. Estimate 
$15000 Sold For $11000 

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes. 
246-221 BC. AV Oktadrachm (27.73 gm, 12h). 
Alexandria mint. Commemorative issue struck under 
Ptolemy IV, 221-205 BC. Bust of the deified 
Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and 
aegis; trident over left shoulder, middle prong 
ends in a lotus finial / Radiate and filleted 
cornucopiae; DI below. Svoronos 1117; SNG 
Copenhagen 196; BMC Ptolemies 103; Boston MFA 
2283. Good VF, lightly toned, some die rust around 
the diadem. ($15,000)

Ptolemy IV struck an extensive series of 
oktadrachms for his father Ptolemy III, portraying 
him with the divine attributes of Helios (the 
radiate diadem), Zeus (the aegis), and Poseidon 
(the trident, the middle prong modified with the 
addition of the Egyptian lotus tip). The 
concentration of such symbols is intended to show 
Ptolemy III as the master of the three elements: 
heaven, earth and sea. The radiate crown above the 
cornucopiae on the reverse is another distinctive 
feature of Ptolemy III's iconography, and was 
later adopted by his grandson, Ptolemy V.

Copyright © CNG 2002

High bid of $11000, $12650 including 15% buyers fee, or approximately €8910, £6050, C$13750, A$14300, on June 8, 2005.

Used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com