A Poor Man's Cleopatra

Hello all, I just purchased my first Greek coin,an Æ 40 Drachmai . My main collecting interest is Roman Imperial and Imperatorial but I've always wanted a Cleopatra portrait coin. Of course she connects with the Imperatorial period. It is low grade but it is Cleopatra. Good enough for me. The price corresponds with the grade. Please post your Cleopatra or what you feel appropriate.



Cleopatra PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT 51-30 BC
State, City: Egypt, Alexandreia
Coin: F Bronze Æ Obol - 40 Drachmae
ΝΟΝΕ - Diademed and draped bust right.
ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑC ΒΑCΙΛΙCCΗC - Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, M to right.
Mint: Alexandreia (41-40 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 7.99g / 20mm / 12h
References:
Svoronos 1872
SNG Copenhagen 422-4
Weiser 184
Provenances:
Andre Cichos
Acquisition/Sale: Münzhandlung André Cichos MA-Shops $0.00 05/20
Notes: May 27, 20 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection.

 

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Nice addition to your collection. I want a Cleopatra as well but hopefully one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

Agree. This coin was reasonable in price. I've been pricing Cleos for a while. Crazy pricing.

 

Your coin has more detail on it compared to the one I have. I always think of it as the mummified remains of Cleopatra

 

LOL! I read recently that the tombs of Cleopatra and Antony could be found soon. Archaeologists think they know the general proximity of the tombs.

 

Well, then I would have an excellent 'Recent' portrait of Cleo....hahahaha.

 

My Cleopatra denarius wasn't cheap but I wanted one with her full name visible and a pair of nice portraits:

 

Very, very nice, @AncientJoe . Thanks for posting!

 

One of my dream coins. Very nice.

 

It looks expensive. Nice.

 

WOW....not cheap he says!!! That's worth my entire coin collection

 

It is really hard to locate an example with even minimal detail that doesn't cost big bucks. It seems that these coins, the 80 and 40 drachmae, were on the whole poorly struck and circulated widely.

Also, based on my experience, they're prone to having bronze disease, possibly due the humid Mediterranean climate and the soil they were buried in.

This is the best example that I have, an 80 drachmae weighing 17.4 grams.

It grades about fine and has a certificate from David Sear.

 

congrats @Gary R. Wilson

 

Has anyone else noticed that the 80 drachmae seems to have two portrait styles, one that is rather flat and crude, and the other higher relief and of better style?

 

Thank you.

 

The stuff of William Shakespeare!

That's a stunning example.

 

Cleo & Tony:



Phil Davis

 

Congrats on the purchase, @Gary R. Wilson. It took a good bit of looking and waiting before one with my name on it and in my budget range came up.

PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM OF EGYPT. Kleopatra VII Thea Neotera
AE Diobol - 80 Drachmai. 18.02g, 27mm. EGYPT, Alexandreia mint, circa 51-30 BC. Svoronos 1871; SNG Copenhagen 419–21. O: Diademed and draped bust right. R: BACIΛICCHC KΛEOΠATPAC, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π (mark of value) to right.
Reportedly ex UCLA Classics Library Collection

 

I understand. Same for me. All of the high prices on all the Cleos was discouraging but patience prevailed for both of us.