Well here is the last coin I bought from Harlans BOB sale. I saved the best for last. Of course, it was the most expensive but nothing that shattered the wallet. I really lack greek coins and it's mostly due to cost or other interests. But this particular coin I was drawn too & also happens to be my first Ptolemaic coin. The Video is Harlans. Ptolemy XII (80 - 51 B.C.) Ptolemaic AR Tetradrachm O: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis. R: ΠToΛEMAIoY - BA[ΣIΛEΩΣ] Eagle standing l. on thunderbolt, palm branch behind head, ΠA in r. field, in l. field date IKH (for LKH) above headdress of Isis.Year 28 = 54/53 BC Alexandria Mint 26mm 13.95g SNG Cop-395, cf. Sear-7947 (Year 27). Ex. Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid Sale, #213, Lot 151
That's an attractive coin, @Mat! Here's an earlier Ptolemaic in bronze: Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). Æ Dichalkon. Alexandria mint, struck 245-222 BC. Head of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing tainia / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟY ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopiae to left.
Ptolemy II was in charge at the time of the translation of the Torah into Greek, the Septuagint. According to some versions of history, he commissioned the translation for the Great Library of Alexandria. Others say it was for the use of the Greek speaking Jews of Alexandria. Perhaps both are true. EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphos, 285-246 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.24 gm) of Tyre. Diademed head of Ptolemy I / Eagle on thunderbolt. SNG.Cop.506. aXF. From a Pegasi sale (VAuctions)
@Mat Great coin! I have some bronzes of the Ptolemies, but no tets. That is a great looking coin with a ton of detail. Not at all surprised to see it in your collection. Nice eagle and portrait which is harder to find. Usually one is off flan. I’ve never bought because of price but I look a bunch. Congrats!
That's a beautiful coin. The late Ptolemy coins often play second fiddle to those of the earlier kings, in terms of demand, though as your coin shows, there's a great amount of appeal and historical interest in the late issues.
Beautiful! Interesting that after 250 years or so, they still primarily used Ptolemy I's portrait on their tetradrachms.
@DonnaML It's funny you say that. If you think about it, it’s 221 years since George Washington died and we still use his portrait. Not using it in place of another George surely, but still.
Very nice! Being issued late in his reign, your coin is debased to 33% silver. I don’t have a coin of the flute player but here is one of his ancestor, Ptolemy VIII PTOLEMAIC KINGS OF EGYPT. Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II (Physcon). Sole reign, 146/5-116 B.C. AR tetradrachm. 14.08 gm. 26 mm. Paphos mint. Dated regnal year 52 (118 B.C.). His diademed bust right, wearing aegis / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; LNB (date) to left, ΠA to right. Svoronos 1528. Cf. SNG Cop 623-626. Near Very Fine; richly toned and of good style. Ex Davidsons Ltd. I can’t t skip over my first Ptolemaic coin! Ptolemy X - Paphos Mint Size: 26mm Weight: 13.19 grams Obverse: Diademed head right, wearing aegis Reverse: PTOLEMAIOU BASILEWS, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; L K (date) before; PA behind. Looks like all that sister loving and brother loving finally got to old Ptolemy X!
That's pretty sweet tet @Mat ! I'm a little late to the party but here's mine of II and still looking blue from the plastic
