When I acquired this bronze of Ptolemy VI, I noticed that the legend is weak on reverse. I could scarcely read Ptolemaioy. Ptolemy ruled Egypt from 180 to 145 BC. When Antiochus IV invaded Egypt, Ptolemy was made captive. To celebrate his victory Antiochus IV issued " Egyptianized" coins in style and size. Some were counter marked with the symbol of the Seleucids ( Anchor). Upon his departure after Ptolemy being backed and supported by the Romans, Antiochus IV continued issuing coins with some defacement and even full obliteration of the word " PTOLEMAIOY". Such issues were minted at Antioch and not Cyprus, like this coin was supposed to be. Thus the weakness of the legend on reverse is not occasional but rather premeditated by Antiochus IV. The series belong to the " Lotus Blossom " issue. Size : 22 mm. Weight 10.7 g. EYLamda between legs of eagle on reverse. Mine weighs nearly 10 g. only due to a small broken piece in the lower part. I don't think it was intentioned, but surprisingly Wildwinds shows the same coin with a similar fracture. Svoronus 1401. Please share your opinion whether this coin does really TELL HISTORY ?!
Interesting coin and background history. Here is a Ptolemy VI (?) with a countermark - I am not real confident about my attribution - I think that's a lotus blossom: Ptolemy VI - Sole Reign Lotus Blossom Series (c. 180-170 B.C.) Æ 24 Diademed head Zeus-Ammon /ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ; Eagle with wings closed standing left on thunderbolt [EYΔ between legs?] lotus blossom to left. Countermark: Seleucid Anchor Svoronos 1398 (w. countermark) (14.00 grams / 24 mm) Also, I have a couple of the "Egyptianized" coins of Antiochus IV: Seleucid Kingdom Æ 27 Antiochos IV Epiphanes Post-Conquest Egyptianized Series. Antioch Mint (169-168 B.C.) Head of Isis right with taenia & Isis headdress / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΘEOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, eagle standing rt. on thunderbolt SC 1414; SNG 981; Sv. 1417. (14.15 grams / 27 mm) Seleucid Kingdom Æ 32 Antiochos IV Epiphanes Post-Conquest Egyptianized Series. Antioch Mint (169-168 B.C.) Laureate head of Zeus-Serapis rt. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY ΘEOY EΠIΦANOYΣ, eagle standing right on thunderbolt. SC 1412; Svoronos 1416. (35.62 grams / 32 mm)
