Ptolemy IV Philopator AR Oktadrachm 204-203 BC Commemorative Issue Struck Under Ptolemy V Ancient Greek Silver Coin Museum Reproduction CSGDO0014

Powerful portrait in high relief, one of the most impressive Hellenistic coin types. THE LONG DECLINE OF Ptolemaic Egypt began with the reign of Ptolemy IV, who was born about 245 BCE and came to the throne on the death of his father in 221. He is known by the epithet “Philopator” (“Beloved of His Father”). Ptolemy IV married his sister Arsinoe III, who bore the future ruler Ptolemy V. Philopator’s chubby youthful portrait appears on magnificent gold octodrachms issued by his son. On the reverse, Ptolemy IV’s name and epithet are inscribed around the dynasty’s emblematic eagle. A superb example of this rare coin brought $80,000 USD in a 2010 auction.

Ptolemy IV Philopator, (Greek: “Loving His Father”) (born c. 238 bce—died 205 bce), Macedonian king of Egypt (reigned 221–205 bc), under whose feeble rule, heavily influenced by favourites, much of Ptolemaic Syria was lost and native uprisings began to disturb the internal stability of Egypt.
Classical writers depict Ptolemy as a drunken, debauched reveller, completely under the influence of his disreputable associates, among whom Sosibius was the most prominent. At their instigation, Ptolemy arranged the murder of his mother, uncle, and brother.
Following the defection of one of Ptolemy’s best commanders, Egypt’s Syro-Palestinian territory, Coele Syria, was seriously threatened by Antiochus III, the Syrian Seleucid ruler. In 219, when the Seleucid ruler captured some of the coastal cities, Sosibius and the Ptolemaic court entered into delaying negotiations with the enemy, while the Ptolemaic army was reorganized and intensively drilled. So grave was the threat that for the first time under the Ptolemaic regime native Egyptians were enrolled into the infantry and cavalry and trained in phalanx tactics. In 218 the negotiations collapsed, and Antiochus renewed his advance, overrunning Ptolemy’s forward defenses. In the spring of 217, however, Ptolemy’s new army met the Seleucid forces near Raphia in southern Palestine, and with the help of the Egyptian phalanx Ptolemy was victorious. Although holding the initiative, the Egyptian king, on Sosibius’s advice, negotiated a peace, and the Seleucid army withdrew from Coele Syria.
After Raphia, Ptolemy married his sister, Arsinoe, who bore him a successor in 210. The Egyptians, however, sensing their power, rose in a rebellion that Polybius, the Greek historian, describes as guerrilla warfare. By 205 the revolt had spread to Upper Egypt.
To the south, Ptolemy maintained peaceful relations with the neighbouring kingdom. In the Aegean, he retained a number of islands, but, in spite of honours granted him, he refused to become embroiled in the wars of the Greek states. In Syria, also, Ptolemy avoided involvement in local struggles, though Sosibius attempted to embroil Egypt there. According to Polybius, Ptolemy’s debauched and corrupt character, rather than his diplomatic acumen, kept him clear of foreign involvements. As his reign progressed, he fell increasingly under the influence of his favourites, and around November 205 he died. His clique of favourites kept Ptolemy’s death a secret and about a year later murdered Queen Arsinoe, leaving the young successor at their mercy.
DESIGN:
Obverse side
Diademed and draped bust right; monogram in left field
Legend:
Anepigraphic

Reverse side
Eagle standing right on thunderbolt; star in left field, control marks ΣΩ ΣΙ in right field
Legend:
ΠTOΛEMAIOY ΦIΛOΠATOPOΣ

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.