Ancient Greece - 306-300 BCE Ptolemaic Kingdom AR Tetradrachm, Ptolemy I NGC Choice XF★

The specialist in ancient Greek coinage should pay careful attention to this listing. It is a stunning and rare example of numismatic art. This original piece displays dramatic patina on both sides. It is simply breathtaking.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemaic standard, Alexandria Mint, struck in the name of Alexander III the Great, circa 306-300 BC, by Ptolemy I Soter, as Satrap 323-305/4 BC. Obverse die signed by the artist Δ. NGC Choice XF ★. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. 15.57 g.

Obverse: diademed head of Alexander III of Macedon right, wearing elephant skin headdress, mitra, and scaly aegis tied before neck; small Δ (artist's signature) to the right of the elephant's ear in the scales (at 6 o’clock), beaded border. Reverse: AΛEΞΑΝΔPOY, Athena Alkidemos advancing right, brandishing spear in right hand, shield on raised left arm; monogram in inner left field, eagle right on thunderbolt to lower right.

Bust of Ptolemy I Soter on exhibit at the Louvre, Paris. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.