From the Period of Cleopatra VII

347, Lot: 189. Estimate $100. Sold for $60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ACHAIA, Patrai. Circa 35 BC. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 1.97 g, 3h). Damasias, son of Agesilaus, magistrate. Head of Aphrodite right, wearing stephane / ΔA/MACIAC above Patrai monogram; all within wreath. BCD Peloponnesos 525–8; HGC 5, 57. Fine, rough, harshly cleaned, deposit on reverse.

This coin is from a massive issue that was struck in an apparently hasty manner, as indicated by the relatively crude dies that were often overused. Many of the known examples are poorly struck, another indication of haste. The date of the issue, in the mid-30s BC, suggests that the issue was made in conjunction with Mark Antony’s preparations for his incipient war with Octavian. The head of Aphrodite may also have the features of Cleopatra VII, as many issues in the region at this time used her likeness in an attempt to flatter the wealthy queen (in fact, another issue of Patrai, BCD Peloponnesos 531, was actually struck in the name of Cleopatra).