I believe I've discovered THE most perfect Ptolemaic chalkous.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by John Anthony, Apr 2, 2017.

  1. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    It seems easy enough to get medium-to-large Ptolemaic bronzes in better grades, but have you ever seen a chalkous (the smallest denomination) this nice? I searched all the usual places, CNG, acsearch, vcoins, ma-shops, etc. Nothing even close. I think it belongs in FORVM's best of type gallery...

    chalkous 6.jpg
     
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  3. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Whoa!
     
    John Anthony likes this.
  4. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Interesting. What's the weight and size? The smallest Ptolemaic bronze I have is 20mm
     
  5. Aethelred

    Aethelred The Old Dead King

    Awesome find!
     
  6. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Cool lil' addition, JA ... awesome centering
     
  7. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

  8. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

  9. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Gosh... that really does look like a perfect example of a small Ptolemaic bronze. Also interesting that the obverse circle border looks to be a fair bit smaller than the one on the reverse. Don't think I've noticed that before in these.
     
  10. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    That's the most perfect example I have yet seen....It looks like it's the size of an AE-3/4.
     
  11. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    WOW, @John Anthony , FANTASTIC example! Those are tough little guys to get a good capture... Is this an earlier Ptolemy I or II version due it not having a dimple?

    I only have one, and this is just a comparative as to how WELL you did!
    (Hey, this one is not too bad, either...)

    upload_2017-4-3_9-53-18.png
    Ptolemaic Egypt
    Ptolemy III, Euergetes, 246-222 BC
    AE Chalkous (12.0mm, 2.0g). Obv: Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon rightRev: ΠΤΟΛΣΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΣΩΣ Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, trident left. Ex. J. P. Righetti Collection #43. Ref: Svoronos 840
    From @red_spork 's collection...
     
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  12. Carausius

    Carausius Brother, can you spare a sestertius?

    Beautiful example with a lovely patina. Nice find!
     
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  13. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I have to agree with John's assertion about this coin :D. When he posted it I knew it would be mine and was prepared to go Clio on it (sorry, whoever else was trying for it in this recent auction :shy:)

    Post-Svoronos scholarship suggests these were issued under Ptolemy III rather than under Ptolemy XIII-X.

    From PtolemyBronze.com:

    "Ashton's report on Ptolemaic bronzes at Fethiye (Turkey) reported a large number of trident coins of the two smaller types. The two smaller coins, likely from Turkey, show the familiar Zeus Ammon obverse, accompanied by a closed wing eagle and a trident on the reverse. These coins are attributed by Svoronos to Berytos (Beirut) but modern finds indicate they are most likely from the area near (modern) Bodrum in Turkey. Ptolemaic possessions during the 3rd C. BC were scattered around the Mediterranean and these are likely coins from one of the Ptolemaic settlements of that time. See the book by Roger Bagnall on Ptolemaic possessions outside Egypt. All are relatively scarce."

    I've found six in archives, all from the same auction company and all within the last four years so maybe a small hoard was found. Maybe more will be released to market. All were in relatively good condition compared to other small Ptolemaic bronzes.

    PtolemyChalkous-RT.jpg
    PTOLEMAIC KINGS OF EGYPT, Ptolemy III Euergetes
    246-221 BCE, Asia Minor (possibly Halicarnassus* in Caria)
    AE chalkous; 14 mm, 1.7 gm
    Obv: head of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing tainia.
    Rev: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ; eagle standing left on thunderbolt; trident to left.
    Ref: Svoronos 840.

    *Modern Bodrum was, in ancient times, Halicarnassus in Caria so I've made the assumption that Halicarnassus was therefore the likely site of this coin's origin. I could be wrong :D

    Halicarnassus is perhaps best known today as the site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

    My largest Ptolemy bronze and smallest Ptolemy bronze together:

    PtolemyAEBiggestAndSmallest.jpg

    The hockey puck under the chalkous is 48 mm and 91.8 gm, issued by Ptolemy II. The larger coin is 54 times heavier than the chalkous!

    When "developing" my pictures of the new coin, for a moment I thought the obverse was jugate. Now I'm not sure if this reflects double striking or if it is just the way the dies were engraved:

    PtolemyChalkous-Doublestruck-Illusion.jpg
     
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  14. David Atherton

    David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

    Fantastic piece! Nice to see it went to a good home!
     
    TIF likes this.
  15. Aethelred

    Aethelred The Old Dead King

    @TIF I do not think that is doubling or jugate busts. Just the product of engraving facial features on such a small scale and a little optical trick.
     
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  16. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    That's what I think too :)
     
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  17. Carausius

    Carausius Brother, can you spare a sestertius?

    Am I the only person on CT who didn't realize the OP coin was for sale?? :arghh: I would certainly have battled @TIF for it, if I'd known. My loss. Great coin.
     
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  18. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Thank goodness you didn't realize it :D

    If you're not already on his list, send a PM to John Anthony.
     
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  19. davidharmier60firefox

    davidharmier60firefox Well-Known Member

    Call me crazy if you must. But I think 25mm is about the smallest I would like to have.
     
    Paul M. likes this.
  20. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member


    Ditto.
    @TIF, I knew when I saw it that you would be the next owner. Although I don't collect them, I felt somehow a temptation for such a beautiful example. Fortunately I've another target coming soon that will cost me one kidney.

    I'm glad it found its way to your home

    :) Q
     
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  21. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    You would be missing a huge amount of incredible Ancient coinage. I have several under 10cm, with my smallest, and one of my more clear detailed, at 4mm.
     
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