Egypt, King Ptolemy IV (221-204 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 13.4 gms., mint of Sidon(?), wreathed and draped jugate busts of Serapis and Isis right, rev. eagle, double cornucopiae at shoulder, standing left on thunderbolt (SNG Cop. 197-8vars.; BMC 7-8vars., as Ptolemy VI), very fine, toned, and a very rare variant

Details

Egypt, King Ptolemy IV (221-204 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 13.4 gms., mint of Sidon(?), wreathed and draped jugate busts of Serapis and Isis right, rev. eagle, double cornucopiae at shoulder, standing left on thunderbolt (SNG Cop. 197-8vars.; BMC 7-8vars., as Ptolemy VI), very fine, toned, and a very rare variant

Lot Essay

Throughout his reign, the young and indulgent Ptolemy IV relied on the political skills of his minister Sosibius, whose name appears on the reverse of this coin. Sosibius led a successful campaign against Antiochos III in the Levante, capturing several mint cities in Phoenicia and Palestine. The letters between the eagle's legs - which mark this as a very rare issue - suggest it may have been struck at Sidon.