Description
Ptolemy X Alexander I, Basileus of Ptolemaic Egypt 107-88 BC, period of joint rule with Cleopatra III as ‘King Ptolemy Philometer Soter’ 109-101 BC, Silver Tetradrachm (13.71g, 25mm, Ptolemaic Standard), regnal year IΓ (13) of Cleopatra III (since the death of Ptolemy VIII 116 BC) and year I (10) of Ptolemy X (since declaring himself King of Cyprus 114 BC), Paphos mint circa 104 BC. Obverse: Diademed head of Ptolemy I Soter facing to the right, dotted border surrounds. Reverse: Eagle stands facing to the left perched upon thunderbolt, wings closed, regnal year of Cleopatra III “L IΓ” above regnal year of Ptolemy X “I” to left field, “ΠA” to right field, legend surrounds, “BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY”. Svoronos-1729. Lightly cleaned in the past although has since toned with an array of idyllic rainbow hues amidst the devices, the small nature of the flan loses some reverse legend, nonetheless very attractive, good Very Fine, reverse better.
The obverse Ancient Greek legend reads “ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ” or “Πτολεμαΐς βασιλεύς”, Latinized as “Ptolemaḯs Basileús”, with an English translation as “King Ptolemy”.