Ptolemy XII Tetradrachm

Ptolemy XII, whose full name was Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Philopator Philadelphos, and commonly known to as Auletes (Greek for "The Flautist", was king of the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt from circa 80 to 51 BC. He actually reigned twice during this period, from 80 to 58 BC, followed by a period of exile in Rome, with his daughter Cleopatra (later Cleopatra VII), from 58-55 BC, followed then by a restoration to power from 55-51 BC. He was succeed by Cleopatra VII and her brother Ptolemy XIII. History would show Cleopatra VII to be the far abler ruler of the two.

Historians generally portray Ptolemy XII as a weak ruler, basically under the sway of Rome and Pompey, an ally of his.

"Throughout his long-lasting reign the principal aim of Ptolemy was to secure his hold on the Egyptian throne so as to eventually pass it to his heirs. To achieve this goal he was prepared to sacrifice much: the loss of rich Ptolemaic lands, most of his wealth and even, according to Cicero, the very dignity on which the mystique of kingship rested when he appeared before the Roman people as a mere supplicant."

— Mary Siani-Davies, "Ptolemy XII Auletes and the Romans", Historia (1997)

Here's what the Roman historian Strabo had to say about his character, earning him the historical and trivializing title Auletes:

"Now all of the kings after the third Ptolemy, being corrupted by luxurious living, administered the affairs of government badly, but worst of all were the fourth, seventh, and the last, Auletes, who, apart from his general licentiousness, practiced the accompaniment of choruses with the flute, and upon this he prided himself so much that he would not hesitate to celebrate contests in the royal palace, and at these contests would come forward to vie with the opposing contestants."

— Strabo, XVII, 1, 11

Here is a tetradrachm from his first period of rule.

Egypt, 73/72 BC, Year 8
Tetradrachm
Ptolemy XII
Obv. Portrait facing right
Rev. Eagle standing left, on thunderbolt
13.8 grams



Please feel free to post all things Ptolemaic, Roman, and anything else you wish.

 

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Sorry, I had already started writing my Ptolemy thread before I saw yours! In any event, a great write-up and an attractive coin. Is that still Ptolemy I on the obverse? Did the Ptolemies ever stop putting him on their coins?

 

No, that portrait is that of Ptolemy XII. The coins of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, on male side, displayed a generally strong similarity of portrait from one king to the next.

I still have trouble distinguishing Ptolemy I from Ptolemy II - quite challenging, at least for me. I usually try to locate the small triangle behind the ear to identify a coin as being that of Ptolemy I.

 

Well, perhaps it wasn't universal, but a lot of them continued to use Ptolemy I on the obverse. See the descriptions in Sear's catalogue of Greek Coins (Vol. II). For example, the obverse portrait on the Ptolemy VI tetradrachm I just posted in a separate thread is clearly of Ptolemy I.

 

It is quite a muddle with this dynasty.

 

Fascinating piece. I know that half way during his reign he was so indebted to the Romans that he debased his Tetradrachms from 90% to 33%. I believe that your coin is pre”reform”.

 

I find them to be quite a fascinating dynasty. My Clio VII 40 drachmae in very poor condition:





And my Ptolemy II Octodrachm with four Royal busts, in not so bad condition





Like someone mentioned in the thread I started for this coin a few months back, they must have used a helluva lot of gold for those eyes

 

Ptolemy ll Philadelphus Tetradrachm 283-246 BC
Obverse-Head of Ptolemy l Soter wearing Aegis
27.49 mm 14.24 gm
Struck in Alexandria after 275 BC ?
Rev- Eagle with closed wings clutching thunderbolt.
Left field, Σ , Galatian shield
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
Y between eagles legs

 

Is that a DELTA behind Ptolemy's head? Just spotted it after 10 years!

 

A small coin of Ptolemy XII.




Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (Auletes) 80-58 BC
AE 13mm. 2.1g.
Uncertain mint in Cyprus, Head of Zeus-Ammon right / Headdress of Isis

 

I did a quick browse through ACSearch. There were several with a similar design. I believe it is the TIE of the Tiara.

The Die-cutter's Delta would be right behind his ear lobe, in the curl of his hair. And, I believe that was on Ptolemy I.

 

Haw shucks!

 

I can't quite see it in the photo, but if there is a delta behind the ear your coin is probably Ptolemy I.

 

YAY REGNAL DATES!

 

Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, father of Cleopatra VII. 80-51 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm; 12.57 gm; 12h). Alexandria mint. Dated RY 28 (54/3 BC). Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, palm over right shoulder; LKH (date) above headdress of Isis to left, ΠA to right. Svoronos 1837; SNG Cop 395; BMC ---.

 

Hi All,

A portrait of the man himself: Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (Auletes = the flutist)



Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (81/80-52/51 BCE)
Egypt, Alexandria

Year 28 (6 Sep 54 - 5 Sep 53 BCE)
Ar Drachm
Size: 15x17 mm
Weight: 2.85 g
Axis: 1:00

OBV: Ptolemy XII portrait head facing right, wearing wide diadem and scaly aegis tied by snakes. Dotted border.
REV: Eagle on thunderbolt facing left with palm branch over right shoulder, wings closed. Legend to left: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ, to right: ΒΛCΙΛΕΩC. In right field: ΠΛ; In left field: LKH above headress of Isis; Dotted border that looks like a solid border.

Ref: Svoronos-1838, pl lxi, 22-23 [6 listed].

Ex-Jean Elsen & Sons (Brussels, Belgium): Auction 134 (9 Sep 2017), Lot #336

 

This is my Delta die-cutter...


Egypt Ptolemy I Soter Tet Delta bankers marks die-cutter DELTA called out

 

Gosh that's fairly indistinct.

 

Ptolemy I Soter tet, with Delta behind ear, although it looks more like a capital A
(click on picture to enlarge)