Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, better known as Physcon=Fatty Boombalatty and son Apion + a mystery

Seriously, the native people called Ptolemy VIII, this gluttonous, brother bickering, niece marrying, degenerate, tub, "Physcon". Which translates to Fatty! I wonder if any dared call him that to his face?


All of our sources are hostile to Physcon stating that he was cruel and undeserving of the title pharaoh. Originally he and older brother, Ptolemy VI whom the sources adored, were to share the rule after the death their father, Ptolemy V.
But the brothers fell in to squabbling again, and again and again.


In the end Fatty the, younger brother, expelled his older brother who was never to return. Afterwards, he would marry his niece, Cleopatra III, and fight another war against his sister, Cleopatra II, that he would also win. Thankfully he died in 116 BCE and the people of that land could be fed again.

(Look at those chubby cheekers)

I won some coins of his and his son, Apion, from Heritage. It took me a bit to identify them, but am fairly confident in my findings. Of course any corrections are appreciated:


Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II (Physcon), (145-116 BC), Dichalkon, as King in Kyrene. AE (Bronze, 13 mm, 2.08 g, 12 h), Kyrene. Diademed head of Zeus Ammon to right, with ram's horn in his hair and over the diadem. Rev. ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛ Eagle with spread wings standing left on thunderbolt. Noeske 291-6 ('uncertain mint in Cyprus'). SNG Copenhagen 658-9 ('uncertain mint in Cyprus'). Svoronos 1655 ('Alexandria'). Weiser -. Rare. Purchased from Heritage Auction June 2021

"These coins are unusual in that several types actually have the epithet name of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II on the reverse as part of the usual Basileos Ptolemaioy inscription. They depart from the earlier series that look similar over a long period of time and have the Ptolemy I portrait with Libya on the reverse. These have Zeus Ammon and an eagle, usually open-winged. Open wing eagles of this series have a characteristic stereotyped 'high shoulder' on the opened wing."

And one of the main reasons that I wanted the lot was the beautifully rendered and rare headdress of Isis reverses on Apion's coins. Not a lot is written about Apion. His dad made him King of Kyrenaika/Cyrenaica. Where he would live and rule as a bachelor until his death whereupon the Roman's where given control of Kyrenaika.


(nice hair pretty boy)


Ptolemy Apion.
King of Kyrenaika, c. 104/1–96 BC. Æ Chalkous (13mm, 2.1 g, 12h). Kyrene mint. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right / Headdress of Isis. Svoronos 1845 (Ptolemy XIII–Alexandreia); Weiser –; SNG Copenhagen 685-90 (Uncertain mint in Cyprus); Noeske 392-4 (Indeterminate mint in Cyprus or Alexandria); Asolati 113. VF, dark brown patina with earthen highlights/deposits. Rare. Purchased from Heritage Auction June 2021



Ptolemy Apion.
King of Kyrenaika, c. 104/1–96 BC. Æ Chalkous (14mm, 2.0 g, 12h). Kyrene mint. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right / Headdress of Isis. Svoronos 1845 (Ptolemy XIII–Alexandreia); Weiser –; SNG Copenhagen 685-90 (Uncertain mint in Cyprus); Noeske 392-4 (Indeterminate mint in Cyprus or Alexandria); Asolati 113. VF, dark brown patina with earthen highlights/deposits. Rare. Purchased from Heritage Auction June 2021

And then there was this strange mystery coin that I cannot get a beat on.
If you twisted my arm I would say it looks like Herakles wearing the lionskin cap and Isis. However, nothing in AC search. Any ideas are appreciated:

2.5 gr 16mm



Please grab a bag of Cheetos and pork rinds and post any coin that is part of the story, thoughts, ideas on the mystery coin or whatever makes you laugh, Physcon!

 

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Nice – you don't see these small Ptolemaic denominations too often!

Here is my only Physcon:

Ptolemy VIII Evergetes II “Physcon”, Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, AE30, ca. 145–116 BC, Alexandreia mint. Obv: diademed head of Zeus-Ammon r. Rev: BA[ΣIΛEΩΣ] ΠTOΛEMAIOY; two eagles with wings closed standing l. on thunderbolt; in field l, cornucopia. 30mm, 27,7g. Ref: Svoronos 1424b; Lorber/Faucher series 7.

 

I think the last one may be this:

Ptolemy V Epiphanes (204-180 BC) Ae Chalkous : Kyrene mint
Obv: Diademed bust of Ptolemy I right
Rev: Diademed bust of Libya right
13mm, 1.3gms
Ref: Svoronos 874 (Ptolemy II)

 

Whoa! At almost 30 grams, that is a Physcon! I LOVE that patina as well. Thanks for sharing.

 

It looks quite a bit alike and all of the coins in the lot came from the Kyrene mint. I think you may have nailed it! That would mean the lot had Father, son and grandson.

 

Just want to add that the types with Libya on the reverse were struck for many years at Kyrene, and under different rulers. Your coin is a bit larger and heavier than my example (called a dichalkon vs. my chalkous example) and these are typically attributed to Ptolemy III Euergetes.

 

..kool coins Ryro...i reckon my last Greek buy of the 'mini-puck' is of the two brothers rule with the double eagle reverse.. Bronze coin of Ptolemy Vl & Vlll's joint rule, 28mm, 22.87gms

 

Closest I have is this didrachm of Ptolemy VI:

Ptolemy VI, Ptolemaic Kingdom
AR didrachm
Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis
Rev: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt
Mint: (Unknown mint in Coele Syria)
Date: 162-161 BC
Ref: Svoronos 1209