Big day for my budding ancient collection!

Check out PtolemAE Project for everything you ever wanted to know about Ptolemaic bronzes.

Also check out this page for fascinating information on the technology used to make these coins. This is just the first page - be sure to click through them all.

 

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Thanks John, but I'm familiar with that site. I asked the board some time ago about a resource for learning more about these and TIF suggested that page. The coins on that site look amazing. I wonder if they're the site owners collection?

 

@Mat I think you should get one.

Impressive coins everyone!

 

I think some are, some aren't. The site owner is Daniel Wolf, and he posts frequently at FORVM. He's very helpful if you get stuck on an attribution or have questions. Just email him through the site.

 

PTOLEMY VI
AE20
OBVERSE: Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right
REVERSE: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, two eagles standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopiae before
Struck at CYPRUS 180-176 BC
6.11g, 20mm
Svoronos 1426, SNG Cop 315

 

Nice!

 

Awesome looking coins everyone.

 

Eng => it's not the size of your Ptolemy ... it's how you work the thunderbolt!!

 

I must admit that I have so many small Greek coins, that I like the big Ptolemy examples (oh, but I'd love to have an example of each denomination => kinda like TIF's sweet collection direction) ...

My current Ptolemy goal is to get an example from each of the Ptolemy gang ... at the moment, I only have examples from Ptolemy I, IV and V (baby-steps to completing another side-slide collection)

 

i have a box of "large and strange shaped" coins, i store them in 2.5 in x 2.5 in flips or in postcard sleeves

i have a box of "large and strange shaped" coins, i store them in 2.5 in x 2.5 in flips or in postcard sleeves. big ptolemy coins, byzantine sycphate coins, and some modern large coins that don't jive in regular flips.

 

I keep my larger Ptolemy coins in a van, down by the river ...

 

A tragedy: My Ptolemy II 46mm now weighs just 89.94g down from 90.0 or 90.1 depending on which of the cheap scales I have owned over the years you ask. I have no idea which is correct since the reference weights I have from various sources also vary by a couple hundredths. I notice some dealers' scales are withing a couple hundredths of mine with regularity while some are all over the place. I think some copy weights from other coins and don't bother weighing them at all.
In an effort to fatten up my coin, I'm asking anyone with an obol to spare to send it over for Ptolemy's lunch. I do have one coin that could be added to the big one and they still would be under 90g. It is sad when coins have weight issues.

 

Well if you really want you coin weighed, give it to me I have a access to Analytical balances that are accurate to 0.0001 g. I will weigh it on 3 of them and take the average. If you care that much.

 

I feel awful for you, but thought it should be pointed out that bigger (or in this case, heavier) doesn't always mean better.

 

You missed your calling, Z. Have you ever considered graphic design?

 

No, but I did enough second-rate picture editing and third-rate graphic banners at my previous company to come to the conclusion that some things are best left to professionals .

 

They have a TV show now about this....

 

Lol!

 

Uh...

So - I'm trying to figure out what the purchasing power of these coins were in their time. Not finding much on my own. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Big coin = loaf of bread

Tiny little silver coin = gets you a fancy room with a view




... I'm just guessing