Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt
Alexandria or an uncertain mint in Palestine, Aristomenes, 199/8. Ptolemy V Epiphanes, 205-180 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 14.10 g, 12 h). Draped bust of the youthful Ptolemy Epiphanes to right, wearing diadem ornamented with a laurel wreath. Rev. ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ Winged thunderbolt; above the wings to left and right, 8-rayed star; below the wings to left, ΑΡ; to right, spearhead upwards. Carlen O8/R19. SNG Copenhagen 527. Svoronos 1249 and pl. XLI, 4. Extremely rare (Svoronos only knew of three examples). Lightly toned and with a fine portrait of Ptolemy V. Minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

Aristomenes of Akarnania was regent for Ptolemy V during the period of his minority, 201-197/6 BC. It has been suggested that this coin was issued for the young king’s Anakleteria, the festival when he came of age (at 13) and ostensibly took over the government himself.