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V
ERY
R
ARE
C
YRENE
. M
AGAS
. S
ILVER
D
IDRACHM
,
AS
P
TOLEMAIC
G
OVERNOR
Enlargement
1762
Cyrenaica, Cyrene. Magas. Silver Didrachm (7.65 g), as Ptolemaic governor, first reign, ca. 300-282/75 BC
. Head of Karneios
right.
Reverse:
KY-PA, silphion plant; in left field, serpent coiled left; in right field, I and
Π
O monogram. Cf. SNG Copenhagen 1239 (head
left); cf. SNG Delepierre 767 (no serpent); cf. BMC 243-5 (head left).
Very Rare
. Some light porosity. Well struck and well centered. Fine style
and lightly toned.
Very Fine
.
A rare issue of the Ptolemaic governor of Cyrenaica who later crowned himself an independent king in 277 BC. As a son of Berenike I born
prior to her marriage to Ptolemy I, Magas was connected to the Ptolemaic royal house but was not part of the line of succession. He solved
this problem by open rebellion and attempting to ally himself with the Seleukid dynasty, which was always hostile to the Ptolemies. In 274 BC,
Magas and Antiochos I launched a coordinated attack on the possessions of Ptolemy II, but the war ended in failure. Antiochos was defeated
in battle and Magas was forced to withdraw thanks to a native rebellion in Libya. Upon the death of Magas, Cyrenaica was almost immediately
restored to the Ptolemaic kingdom.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $2,500 - 3,000
Private purchase from Tom Cederlind
.
H
ANDSOME
C
ARTHAGE
E
LECTRUM
S
TATER
,
CA
. 290-270 BC
Enlargement
1763
Zeugitania, Carthage. Electrum Stater (7.37 g), ca. 290-270 BC
. Head of Tanit left, wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant
earring and necklace.
Reverse:
Horse standing right. Jenkins & Lewis grp. VII, 356 (same obv. die); MAA 13. Well struck in deep yellow elec-
trum. We note an old dig below the chin of Tanit.
Extremely Fine
.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $4,000 - 5,000
Private purchase from Tom Cederlind
.
E
ND OF
T
OM
P
ETERSON
’
S
G
REEK
C
OINS