
Uncertain later ptolemy, Triobol
Lot 246 · Consigned by hhf
Closed
Description
Ptolemaic Kingdom, AE Triobol, attributed to a later ruler of uncertain identity, minted in Alexandria. Weight 20.93g, typical diameter approximately 30mm. The obverse features the head of Zeus-Ammon facing right, displaying distinctively curled ram's horns. On the reverse appears the inscription "ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ" (of King Ptolemy), enclosed within a laurel wreath. The strike is moderately centered, displaying minor wear yet retaining significant detail on both deity and script. Due to the uncertain attribution, numismatic references remain inconclusive; however, the coin aligns with the stylistic attributes of later Ptolemaic bronze issues.
This coin originates from the Ptolemaic Kingdom, one of the Hellenistic successor states following the division of Alexander the Great's empire. The Ptolemies ruled Egypt and influenced much of the Eastern Mediterranean from the 4th to the 1st century BCE. Coins like this triobol, bearing the image of Zeus-Ammon, underscore the cultural syncretism of the era, reflecting the blending of Greek and Egyptian religious traditions. The lack of a precise ruler attribution highlights the turbulent nature of later Ptolemaic rule, characterized by internal family conflict and external pressure, culminating in the eventual dominance of Rome over Egypt.