Here's a not-so-recent purchase. I've gotten into Ptolemaic coinage big time in the past year, but due to a tightened budget I have not been able to seriously indulge myself. But I did manage to snag this very lovely example of a Ptolemy II tetradrachm, which a good forum friend was able to hook me up with. Ptolemy II, Ptolemaic Kingdom AR tetradrachm Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis Rev: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, monogram in left field, shield in front of eagle Mint: Alexandria Date: 285-246 BC Ref: Svoronos 574 Ptolemy II Philadelphus was the son of Pharaoh Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. In addition to his two sisters, Ptolemy II had two half-brothers that became Macedonian kings. After ruling as co-regent with his father, Ptolemy ruled in his own right after his father's death in 282 BC. A few years later, his half-brother Magas of Cyrene invaded Ptolemy's territories, but an internal rebellion forced Magas to withdraw, although he managed to keep Cyrene independent from central Ptolemaic control until his death in 250 BC. Magas had taken advantage of Ptolemy's preoccupation with events in the eastern edges of his kingdom. Antiochus I Soter of the Seleucid Empire had attacked Judaea and Syria-Coele, Egyptian territories, in 274 BC. By 271 BC, Egypt had beaten back the Seleucid invasion and established itself as the prominent power in the eastern Mediterranean, with Ptolemy extending his rule to a number of towns and cities in Asia Minor. Ptolemy also faced a revolt of Gallic mercenaries, who had attempted to take over Egypt. As a result, he stranded them on an island in the Nile and left them there to die. To help counter growing Macedonian power, Ptolemy encouraged the formation of a Greek alliance against the Macedonians. This coalition eventually fought Macedon in the Chremonidean War from 267-261 BC, but were defeated, despite Ptolemaic naval assistance. As a result, Athens was conquered by Macedon. A second war with the Seleucids was not as successful as the first one, with Ptolemy pressured into negotiating for peace with Antiochus II Theos. On the home front during his rule, Ptolemy spent much effort in promoting the cultural life and status of Egypt. He managed to complete and greatly expand the Library of Alexandria, and commissioned a compilation of Egyptian history up to that point. Ptolemy admitted many poets and artists into his royal court, and he began the Ptolemaieia, a quadrennial festival intended to honor the Ptolemaic dynasty. He also held a grand procession to Dionysus that included 24 elephant-drawn chariots and a large number of exotic animals. While it is doubtful that he himself ordered the commissioning of a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, this translation was composed during his reign. Ptolemy not only help promote Greek culture, but was a patron of the native Egyptian culture as well. Many of his royal edicts were written entirely in Egyptian hieroglyphics, and he regularly made offerings to the Egyptian gods and visited their holy sites. Ptolemy II died in 246 BC, after a reign of nearly 40 years. (Pharos of Alexandria) (Interior of the Library of Alexandria as it appears in Assassin's Creed Origins) Information sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy_II_Philadelphus https://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/ptolemyII.html Photo sources: seller (because they show the coin perfectly and my photos wouldn't be as good), Wikipedia, Britannica, Pinterest, Blogspot, Google Plus, Assassin's Creed Wiki Feel free to post anything relevant!
Interesting write up, here's my tetradrachm of Philip II Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphos 285-246 BCE AR tetradrachm, 13.87 grams, 29mm Alexandria mint. Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I, banker marks Rev:Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, ST, KI, AX monograms on left. Svoronos 378
Great write up Valiant, but I dont see your coin,only a little box with an X Here are my 2 Ptolemy II coins:
Thanks for the additional comments! It showed up fine on my computer and phone but I reuploaded the image anyways just in case. Hopefully this fixes any issues.
Gorgeous coin and great writeup, VK! Here are a couple of bronzes of Ptolemy II: Ptolemy II, AE 22, Svoronos 974 Ptolemy II, AE 32, Svoronos 760. Ex Professor James R. Eaton (1834-1897). A couple of his dad are below. From Egypt but before declaring himself king: EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter AR tetradrachm, 27 mm, 17.0 gm (Attic standard) Alexandreia mint, struck 313/12 BCE Obv: Head of the deified Alexander III to right, wearing mitra (headband) of Dionysos and elephant skin headdress, with aegis around his neck, and with horn of Ammon on his forehead Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Athena Alkidemos advancing right, hurling spear with her right hand and with shield over her extended left arm; to right, eagle with closed wings standing on thunderbolt to right with ΔΙ below Ref: Svoronos 33; Zervos series D, issue XIII; SNG Copenhagen 14; BMC 7 As king: PTOLEMIC KINGS OF EGYPT. Ptolemy I Soter Struck c. 300-285 BCE, Alexandreia mint AR tetradrachm, 28 mm, 13.92 gm Obv: diademed head right, wearing aegis around neck, tiny Δ behind ear Rev: eagle standing left on thunderbolt; to left, P above monogram Ref: Svoronos 252; SNG Copenhagen 69; Noeske 40
Some great coins being posted, thanks guys! @TIF that Ptolemy I type is high on my list for sure. Wonderful example! Thanks @Deacon Ray . If you want another cool recent thread, here's the write-up on my best acquisition ever: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/acquired-the-white-whale.323375/
