297, Lot: 114. Estimate $100. Sold for $95. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy VI Philometor. Second sole reign, 163-145 BC. AR Didrachm (21mm, 6.24 g, 1h). Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated CY 105? (158/7 BC?). Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis / Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; [PE?] (date) on thunderbolt. O. Mørkholm, “The Ptolemaic ‘Coins of an Uncertain Era,” Nordisk Numismatisk Arsskrift (1975/1976), dies A10/R–; cf. Svoronos 1212; cf. SNG Copenhagen 552; DCA 76. VF, lightly toned, a bit porous.

The mint and era of this enigmatic coinage has been much debated. For the most recent discussion, see C. Lorber, “The Ptolemaic era coinage revisited,” NC (2007), pp. 105-117. Traditionally assigned to Arados, Lorber argues for a Cypriot mint, perhaps Arsinoe near Salamis.