The Ptolemaic Uncertain Era Coinage of 262 BCE: The Transition from ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ to ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ

Abstract

The dated Ptolemaic silver coinage described as of an ‘uncertain era’ consists of three series
of issues, the first two consisting of almost entirely of tetradrachms inscribed ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ while the third consists almost entirely of didrachms inscribed ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. I show that the third series is the direct continuation of the second series on the
basis of new didrachms that completely close what had appeared to be a nine-year gap between
them. The circumstances that connect the two series in this way provide a new perspective on
the second series’ purpose.