© Nomos AG
© Nomos AG
Stater of 25 Obols - Ptolemy I Soter Posthumous; Alexandria 294 BC - 282 BC
| Silver | 14.0 g | 28.5 mm |
| Issuer | Ptolemaic Kingdom (Ptolemaic Kingdom (305 BC - 30 BC)) |
|---|---|
| King | Ptolemy IV Philopator (221 BC - 203 BC) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 294 BC - 282 BC |
| Value | Silver Stater (25⁄6) |
| Currency | Ptolemaic drachm (second reform of Ptolemy I Soter, circa 294 – 272 BC) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 14.0 g |
| Diameter | 28.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-09 |
| Numista | N#180797 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with spread wings. "ΔΑ" monogram in left field.
Script: Greek
Lettering:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
ΔΑ
Translation: King Ptolemy.
Edge
Plain
Comment
These staters or heavy tetradrachms weigh the equivalent of 25 obols, or 4 drachms and 1 obol. The additional obol probably represented a built-in agio of 4.5% to facilitate exchanges of silver and gold in the absence of small silver fractions.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of Ptolemy I Soter, who was one of the generals of Alexander the Great and later became the ruler of Egypt, on one side, and an image of an eagle on the other side. This coin was minted posthumously, meaning after Ptolemy I Soter's death, and it was used as a form of currency in the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
