★ Ex CNG, 66g ★

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT: Ptolemy IV Philopator (222-204 BCE) AE Drachm (Series 5). Alexandria, 65.94g, 42mm.
Obv: Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right
Rev: Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; filleted cornucopia to left, ΔI between legs.
CPE B495, Svoronos 1125, SNG Cop 199
From TheRed collection, Ex CNG E-Auction 354 lot 259, 2015.07.01.
A huge coin, with attractive red-green patination.

Ptolemy IV gained the throne at age 20, and was dominated by the aristocrats Sosibius and Agathocles, who immediately instigated a purge of the royal family to eliminate potential opposition. Despite his success against the Seleukid aggressor Antiochos III at the famous Battle of Raphia in 217 BCE – one of the largest ancient battles, involving some 150,000 combatants – his reign is remembered as the beginning of the Ptolemaic decline.