Archaeologists working near Alexandria, Egypt, at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, have uncovered a small statue head that may depict Cleopatra VII. Although this finding might be overhyped, it is interesting. Many of the 337 coins discovered reportedly had the image of Cleopatra VII. https://nypost.com/2024/12/09/scien...tm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=message_app https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/...-among-new-discoveries-near-alexandria/154096
For coin collectors, Cleopatra VII is one of the most sought after of all ancient rulers, together with Julius Caesar. Her best portraits are those visible on the AE 40 or 80 drachms coins minted at Alexandria. But it is very curious that almost none of these AE coins ever surfaced in good condition. They are not particularly rare but always very worn, smoothed by a long circulation, if not deeply corroded. The specimens found in this excavation make no exception.
I have noticed that in my auction perusing. My goal will be Fine or better with smooth surfaces and a reasonably clear portrait. They must have circulated for quite a long time. Maybe even well after Cleopatra’s death?
Many other coins also show her portrait. I own the tetradrachm of her and Antony from Syria, as well as the drachm from Alexandria, and there are a few other bronzes from the near east with her portrait I own as well. The 40 or 80 drachms are probably the most common portrait coin of hers, but not the only or best. I would argue the tetradrachm is the best portrait of her.
I know some of us posters are old, but I seem to have forgotten what Cleo looked like. I will have to take your word for it. More seriously, apparently there are wall paintings in Pompeii that show she had red hair. No wonder she was such a man-eater. (Disclaimer: married to a redhead.)
On the tetradrachms, which are often found in decent condition, they made her look like Antony... Same face !... She is ugly on these silver coins. I am convinced her portrait on the AE diobols is much more accurate. All ancient authors are unanimous about the fact she was an attractive woman. (not my coins, of course...) Cleopatra is one of the very few ancient celebrities of which an autograph has been preserved. On this papyrus, a royal decree granting fiscal privileges to a Roman merchant doing business in Egypt, the last word γινέσθωι (let it be) is the handwritten signature of the queen.
Remember that those were very different periods sir. The bust of her drachms were of a younger bust, whereas she was over 40 when the tetradrachm was struck. Any coin based off an 18 year old should look different than based off a 40-50 year old lady. Beyond that, most historians commented on her intelligence, ambition, etc. Not nearly as many comments on physical beauty.
Lol, I get you. Elizabeth Taylor playing her in the 60's has skewed people's perception. No one at all doubts her intelligence, ambition, etc. She was an outstanding lady for her era, and when younger I am sure she was attractive like the drachms show, (given a large one myself, I like ladies with "healthy" noses).
Yes, so true. And "etc." includes some BIG things which even still today make one "attractive" and desirable: Big wealth. Big fame. Big influence. Big political power.
Conspicuous noses have been a beauty standard during some periods. In 17th c. France, for example. There is a famous quote of Blaise Pascal : "Le nez de Cléopâtre, s'il eût été plus court, toute la face de la terre aurait changé" "Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of earth would have been changed".
