The Ptolemy Connection

These coins were purchased recently from one of our own. I'll post both since they wonderfully depict Ptolemaic coinage or devices. Besides the Zeus obverses I already have, I'm happy to add an obverse portrait of Ptolemy and of Isis/Cleopatra I.....

Top of the list has to be this high relief and wonderfully toned example. I couldn't improve on the seller's photo but it's spectacular in hand (Thanks Noob!!):

AR Tetradrachm of Ptolemy II (285-246 BC)




AE-27 of Cleopatra II/Ptolemy VI Philometor


Please any coins of the type you may have.

 

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Both gorgeous.

 

Well done!

 

Nice coins!
Ptolemies often show that you don't have to be Hollywood Handsome to be king. Mine is Ptolemy I, father of the dynasty who resembles an aging boxer more than a high level aristocrat.

Behind the ear on mine is the delta believed to be the initial of the die engraver.

 

My Ptolemy Tet is Ptolemy I Soter, the General to Alexander whom started the Makedonon-Ægyptian Empire, absconded with the body of Alexander, and had a successful dynasty for 300 years... pretty sharp guy...

Mine has that Delta behind the ear that is believed to be the engraver's initial, just like @dougsmit 's.


Ptolemy I
signed by the Designer / Artist with a Delta behind his ear (curl of his hair).
305-285 BCE
AR Tetradrachm
OBV: Ptolemy I facing r, Delta behind ear, punch marks
REV: Standing Eagle l, punch marks.
23.6mm x 4.5mm (thick)
13.8g

Comments: After Alexander's death, Ptolemy took a small army of approx 2500 men and went to take Ægypt. He was also smart enough to grab the Ægyptian treasury and idols that the Persians had taken to Babylon when they conquered Ægypt. Upon his arrival in Ægypt, he was loved and revered as he brought their stolen heritage (and money!) back to them. Ptolemy was also shrewd enough to "hi-jack" Alexander's funeral procession, and diverted his body in the honey-filled sarcophagus to Memphis in Ægypt. This further validated Ptolemy's Rule over Ægypt and helped earn him the title Ptolemy I Soter (Savior).

 

@Mikey Zee : Your Ptolemy II Tet (Son of the Soter) is VERY nice! GORGEOUS! I definitely covet it!!!

 

Beautifull coins, the reverse Eagles are magnificent. The Ptolomies produced some of the Ancient Worlds most spectacular AV/AR/AE coinage. Also the largest AV coin at that time the Dekadrahm 42g.

 

Great Posts guys!!! Thanks for the kind words ...and Thanks again A-Noob!!!

I'm still after a Tet of P-I, but that'll have to wait until late this year AFTER I finally replace my Tyrian shekal and add a silver example of (Hannibalic) Carthage

 

Wow, cool aspirations! Good schtuff!

 

Super coins Mikey. I need to get back into buying. I certainly would love one of these.

 

Bactria bro... huge gold coin...look it up

 

Both excellent pickups, Mikey, but I really like that tet!

 

Both are really great coins Mikey, particularly the tet. I love that reverse!

 

Sweet OP-additions, Mikey-Z (I really like both of them!!)

I only have these AE examples ... sadly, no Tets

 

Great coins. Yeah, the tet is sweet!

 

My Ptolemy I

Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy I Soter, Silver Tetradrachm

Obv:– Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis
Rev:– ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, monogram left
Minted in Alexandria, B.C. 294
Reference:– Svoronos 236, SNG Cop 75
14.379g, 29.9mm, 0o

The following notes were provided by the dealer in their catalog description.

"Struck on a briefly used standard of 21-attic obols. Broad flan. Overstruck over an Alexander tetradrachm, which had a banker's mark. Undertype visible at 4:00 on obverse. Minor chip. Rare overstrike!"

Also signed by the apparently increasinly common (based on this thread) Delta engraver.

 

Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy II Soter, Tetradrachm

Obv:– Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis
Rev:- PTOLEMAIOY [SOTERWS], eagle standing left, head left, on thunderbolt, wings closed, PT and ME monograms left, date AL and Q right
Minted in Galilee, Ake Ptolemais, Year 31. B.C. 255
Reference:– BMC.112 var. Svoronos 774 pl. XXV/10 (4 ex.) SNG Cop.470. Delepierre- Gülnar 2/4074 pl. 129(6 ex.)

 

My nicest and most expensive Ptolemaic Tet....


Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy VI Philometor, Silver Tetradrachm

Obv:– Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis
Rev:- PTOLEMAIOY BASILEOS, eagle standing left, head left, on thunderbolt, wings closed
Minted in Alexandria, B.C. 180-145
Reference:– Svoronos 1489, SNG Cop 262

14.031g, 27.3m, 0o

 

Wonderful coins, everybody! Ptolemy I coins are always high on my list-- the OP portrait coin type in particular. One of these days...

 

No tets, no ladies but here are mine:


Ptolemy II, AE18


Ptolemy II, AE42, 63g


Ptolemy III, AE38, 41g


Ptolemy IV, AE33, 32g


Ptolemy AE38, 41g


Ptolemy IX, AE16, 3g

I do enjoy my Ptolemies and this thread reminds me I need to reshoot/shoot mine.