New Acquisition - Ptolemy II Tetradrachm

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Codera, Jun 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM.

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  1. Codera

    Codera Well-Known Member

    After finishing my Twelve Caesars set a bit ago I've been wanting to expand beyond my Roman Imperial comfort zone and stretch my normal budget to buy more Greek coins of decent quality which while typically more beautiful artistically than Roman coins were usually more expensive and I didn't know where to start. But after getting a worn Athenian tetradrachm recently I managed to get another lovely tetradrachm this time from Ptolemy II Philadelphos. The king looking up has a very ethereal, ghostly presence which I can't help but help but love, it just makes this coin feel even more like a long lost relic from the mysterious ancient past. Any of you have some nice Ptolemaic tetradrachms to share?

    Ptolemy II.jpg

    Title: Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt. Ptolemy II Philadelphos (285-246 BC) AR Tetradrachm
    Attribution:     CPE 527; Svoronos 740; SNG Copenhagen 515 Sidon mint
    Date: Dated Year 33 - 253/2 BC
    Obverse: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right
    Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY ΣΩTHPOΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, ΣI / MI monogram, AΓ (date) in right field
    Size: 25.55mm
    Weight: 14.17 grams
    Description: VF, a few marks, bankers punch.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2025 at 12:21 AM
    Codera, Jun 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
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  3. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    Awesome!

    I too finished a Twelve Caesars set not long ago.

    I have only owned one Ptolemaic coin, and sold it last year. I need to replace it and want either a nice tetradrachm or especially a coin of Cleopatra VII.
     
    lordmarcovan, Jun 24, 2025 at 4:51 AM
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  4. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    My one-and-only Ptolemy was a didrachm.

    [​IMG]
     
    lordmarcovan, Jun 24, 2025 at 4:52 AM
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  5. GinoLR

    GinoLR Well-Known Member

    upload_2025-6-24_13-4-45.jpeg
    Ptolemy V Epiphanes. 204-180 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Uncertain mint in Cyprus(?). Dated year 72 (191/0 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; OB (date) in left field. Svoronos 1091; Mørkholm, Ptolemaic 39–43; SNG Copenhagen 541; DCA 73.
     
    GinoLR, Jun 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
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  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Ptolemy II.png
     
    Bing, Jun 24, 2025 at 8:46 AM
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  7. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    As with the nice Ptolemy II example in the OP, my representative tetradrachm of Ptolemy II carries the interesting titulature of 'savior' rather than the more prevalent 'king'.
    upload_2025-6-24_8-8-30.png
    Ptolemy II (285-246 BC). AR tetradrachm (13.89 gm).
    Mint of Joppa (in modern day Israel), dated RY 35 (251/0 BC).
    Diademed head of Ptolemy I right.
    Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; Joppa monogram and MT monogram to left, ΛE (date) and Θ to right.
    (Heritage Auction 3040, September 2015.)

    It was under Ptolemy II that the Septuagint was initiated and completed. Some sources cite its completion as being in the same year my example is dated.
     
    philologus_1, Jun 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
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  8. Codera

    Codera Well-Known Member

    Very nice examples everyone! Thanks for sharing!
     
    Codera, Jun 24, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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