Nomos 33

KYRENAIKA. Kyrene. Ophellas, Ptolemaic governor, first reign, circa 322-313 BC. Drachm (Gold, 15 mm, 4.31 g, 12 h). K-Y/P-A/NΑΙ-A-I/O-N Horseman riding a horse prancing to right, holding the reins with his right hand. Rev. Silphium plant; to lower left, jerboa standing to left. BMC 124 (same dies). Naville 108 (same dies). Traité II, 3, 1850. U. Wartenberg and J.H.Kagan, Silphium, Jerboas, Genets, and the Coinage of Cyrene, in Le Monete di Cirene e della Cirenaica nel Mediterraneo. Problemi e prospettive. Atti del V Congresso Internazionale di Numismatica e di Storia Monetaria, Padova, 17–19 Marzo 2016, ed. M. Asolati, Padova, 2016, p. 53, 6 (this coin, but mistakenly described as being ANS 1980.109.107). Extremely rare, attractive and lightly toned. Minor marks, otherwise, very fine.

From the Collection of Jonathan H. Kagan.

An interesting detail on the obverse of this coin is the curious engraver's error in the legend. It starts off with single letters: Κ - Υ - Ρ - Α and then, was the engraver daydreaming?, makes a monogram of ΝΑΙ. Then he realises what he is doing, hopes that the monogram will be ignored (!) and completes the legend. Α - Ι - Ο - Ν!