Ptolemy line of rulers…..Show them please

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Mammothtooth, Oct 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM.

  1. Mammothtooth

    Mammothtooth Stand up Philosopher, Vodka Taster

    I would like to see the Ptolemy line of Egyptian rulers. Does someone have them?
     
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  3. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    nerosmyfavorite68 and Broucheion like this.
  4. maridvnvm

    maridvnvm Well-Known Member

    I dabbled with this series a few years back and then lost interest. I did acquire a few. Here are some of the silvers.

    Ptolemy I Soter, 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!"

    The coin has the signature of the Delta artist behind the ear (between the ear and the first curl near the neck). I was not aware of this wonderful detail and it wasn't mentioned by Forum in their description either. This artist was a master craftsman and was responsible for some coins of high artistry at Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy I (possibly into the early reign of Ptolemy II) and produced from quite early in the reign, including one of the iconic elephant's skin headdress tetradrachm.

    Ptolemaic_Kingdom_1a_img.jpg

    Ptolemy II Soter
    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.)

    Ptolemaic_Kingdom_1e_img.jpg

    Ptolemy VI Philometor, 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

    Additional comments from the dealer - "Ptolemy VI became king in 180 B.C. at the age of about 6 and ruled jointly with his mother, Cleopatra I, until her death in 176 BC. From 170 to 164 B.C., Egypt was ruled by Ptolemy, his sister-queen and his younger brother Ptolemy VIII Physcon. In 170 BC, the Seleukid King Antiochus IV invaded and was even crowned king in 168, but abandoned his claim on the orders from Rome. In 164 Ptolemy VI was driven out by his brother. He went to Rome and received support from Cato. He was restored the following year. In 152 BC, he briefly ruled jointly with his son, Ptolemy Eupator, but his son probably died that same year. In 145 B.C. he died of battle wounds received against Alexander Balas of Syria. Ptolemy VI ruled uneasily, cruelly suppressing frequent rebellions."

    Ptolemaic_Kingdom_1d_img.jpg

    Cleopatra III and Ptolemy X Soter, Silver Tetradrachm
    Obv:– Diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis
    Rev:- PTOLEMAIOY BASILEOS, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed, L I (year 10 of Cleopatra's reign) left, PA right;
    Minted in Paphos, B.C. 110
    Reference:– Svoronos 1668, SNG Cop -, Noeske -,

    14.258g, 24,1mm, 0o

    After the death of Ptolemy VIII in 116 B.C. Cleopatra III ruled jointly with her mother Cleopatra II and her son Ptolemy IX. Cleopatra III expelled Ptolemy IX 110 B.C. and replaced him as co-regent with her second son Ptolemy X. Ptolemy IX regained the throne in 109 but was again replaced in 107 B.C. In 101 B.C., after 6 years of joint rule Ptolemy X had his mother Cleopatra III murdered.

    Ptolemaic_1b_img~0.jpg
     
  5. Broucheion

    Broucheion Well-Known Member

    Hi All,

    Sorry I don’t remember where this image came from originally. Some of the coin images are not accurate (eg, Ptolemy XIII image is Ptolemy V, some of the queens are not right too) but it’s a cute representation.

    upload_2025-10-31_7-44-35.png
    - Broucheion
     
  6. nerosmyfavorite68

    nerosmyfavorite68 Well-Known Member

    Whatever happened to PtolemAE, from Forum? Didn't he have a website?
     
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