Tetrobol - Ptolemy IV Philopator

Ptolemy IV's reign is notorious for its administrative neglect — he delegated effective control to ministers Agathocles and Sosibius while pursuing literary and religious interests — yet his bronze coinage was produced in substantial volume to fund a kingdom that was, despite its ruler, still operationally powerful. The Fourth Syrian War against Antiochus III culminated in the decisive Ptolemaic victory at Raphia in 217 BC, one of the largest battles of the Hellenistic world, and the mint output of this period reflects the logistical demands of fielding an army that included, for the first time in Ptolemaic history, native Egyptian soldiers in significant numbers.

That decision to arm Egyptians had lasting consequences: the empowered native population became increasingly assertive, fueling the internal revolts that would plague Ptolemy V's reign immediately after.