PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter (305/4-282 BC). AR stater or tetradrachm (27mm, 12h). NGC Choice Fine brushed, countermarks, graffiti. Alexandria, from 294 BC. Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck; Δ behind ear / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with closed wings; P above ΠAP monogram in left field. CPE 168. Svoronos 255. Of all the the successors of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy more than any other sought to associate himself with the dead conqueror. As Alexander's body was traveling through Syria on its way to Macedon in 321 BC, Ptolemy kidnapped it and brought it to Egypt, where he was then ruling as satrap. A magnificent tomb was set up at Alexandria to house Alexander's remains. The whole operation was a terrific public relations move on Ptolemy's part; he now ruled the richest province of Alexander's empire from a capital that bore his name and housed his remains. His early coinage bore Alexander's portrait, as does this example. After defeating Perdiccas the same year, Ptolemy was the strongest of Alexander's former generals and could have made a bid to control all the conquered territories, but he had the wisdom to be content with wealthy Egypt. He spent the last 25 years of his life building up his kingdom in Egypt, which would go on to become the most prosperous, stable, and long-lasting of the major Hellenistic kingdoms, surviving until the death of his distant descendant Cleopatra in 30 BC. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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