246 NGC Ch VF Alexandria Philip II Caesar Tetradrachm Triptoleomos Serpent Biga (20090904C)

Regular price $450.00

Choice Very Fine Philip II billon silver Roman Egypt Alexandria tetradrachm coin, 12.29g.
Issued for Philip as Caesar during the reign of his father Emperor Philip I. Philip II was elevated as Co-Emperor during year 4.
Minted in the Emperor's 4th regnal year, denoted by Greek letter Delta = 246/247 CE.
Obverse: Draped/Cuirassed bare head of Caesar facing right with full legends.
Reverse: Triptoleomos standing right in Serpent Biga (chariot), date letters L Delta above.
Emmett 3608/4, rated as R2.
Triptolemus was a demi-god of the Eleusinian mysteries who presided over the sowing of grain-seed and the milling of wheat. He was one of the Eleusinian princes who hospitably received the goddess Demeter when she was mourning the loss of her daughter.
The Triptolemus/Serpent biga type was seldom used on Alexandrian coinage.
Pedigree: Ex. CNG catalog sale from the 1990s with their ticket.

Choice Very Fine Philip II billon silver Roman Egypt Alexandria tetradrachm coin, 12.29g.