Ancients: CYPRUS. Salamis. Menelaus (ca. 310-306 BC). AV stater (17mm, 8.33 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style....

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Unpublished Stater of Menelaus, King of Cyprus

CYPRUS. Salamis. Menelaus (ca. 310-306 BC). AV stater (17mm, 8.33 gm, 6h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. MENEΛA (partially ligate), draped bust of Aphrodite left, wearing turreted stephane, triple-pendant earring, and beaded necklace, seen from front, hair rolled along brow line and tucked under stephane, and cascading in waves behind and over shoulder / Ba (Cypriot), draped bust of Aphrodite left, wearing crown with five semi-circular plates, taenia, beaded hoop earring, and torque, seen from front, hair flowing in ringlets behind and one long curl across cheek. Babelon 640, Pl. XVII, 27 = BMC Pl. XXIV, 21 (trite). Gulbenkian -. Struck from stunningly high-relief dies of magnificent style on a gleaming flan. Breathtaking in hand. Extremely rare, with no examples in sales archives and apparently unknown as a full stater.

Menelaus was the son of Lagus and the half-brother of Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great's close companions. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, his vast empire was divided among his generals, leading to the Wars of the Diadochi. Ptolemy took control of Egypt and sought to expand his influence in the eastern Mediterranean, where Menelaus played a significant role.

Ptolemy aimed to secure Cyprus, an important strategic island in the eastern Mediterranean. Menelaus was entrusted with the mission to govern and maintain control over Cyprus, which was crucial for Ptolemy's ambitions of naval dominance and regional power, and proved to be an effective leader. He helped fortify the island and kept it under Ptolemaic control during the struggles with other Diadochi, particularly Antigonus I Monophthalmus and his son Demetrius Poliorcetes, who also had designs on the island.

In 306 BC, Demetrius launched an invasion of Cyprus in an effort to wrest control from Ptolemy and his brother. Menelaus, stationed on the island, commanded Ptolemy's forces and prepared to defend it. The decisive confrontation took place at the Battle of Salamis, off the coast of Cyprus. Despite Menelaus' efforts, Demetrius decisively defeated him in this naval battle. Afterward, Menelaus was forced to surrender the city of Salamis, Cyprus fell into the hands of Demetrius, and Menelaus was sent back to Egypt. This defeat was a major setback for Ptolemy's ambitions in the eastern Mediterranean, though he later regained control of Cyprus.

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