Ptolemy I or Ptolemy II

Perhaps someone can help with a problem I have determining whether a tetradrachm is a Ptolemy I or a Ptolemy II. I understand that a Ptolemy I has a delta signature behind the ear of Ptolemy and that some of the early Ptolemy II tets also do. Also there is a letter P in the left field of the reverse. However, I have seen tets advertised as Ptolemy I without the P on the reverse. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Thanks, BobC

 

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Post a photo of the coin and we will have a much better chance of helping.

Ptolemy I (one of many variations).

 

I have a tet that is like the one you posted-with the delta signature behind the ear and the P in the left field of the reverse. I guess my question is whether those two marks are all that determine a Ptolemy I. There have been coins on V-Coins that are listed as being Ptolemy I tets without the letter P on the reverse.
Thank you for your quick response.
BobC

 

I enjoy the Bankers Marks on both @dougsmit 's Ptolemy and mine. Just an interesting feature that these coins were circulated and tested as real silver.

Ptolemy I

Egypt Ptolemy I Soter AR Tet Delta bankers marks CELATOR DELTA called out

Ptolemy II

Egypt Ptolemy II 285-274 BC AE Obol 20mm 6.7g Alex III Eagle Tbolt Plain SV 601

 

..because of the dimple, it's P 2?..

 

Here is a great tool that has helped me a bunch when trying to identify what or which Ptolemys minted various coins that I had nite been able to ID previously. (I believe I got this from @dougsmit, ty).
http://ptolemybronze.com/ptolemy_series.html

 

i've got a bronze that i bought as a Ptolemy l(can't locate the pic at the moment), but i've questioned that on several occasions. i think it's w/o the dimple. i'll foto it later and show ya.

 

@tartanhill, attributing Ptolemaic coins is often difficult and confusing. For the latest scholarship, look for articles by Catharine Lorber. Here's one and though it focuses on the timeline for his portrait tets, the monograms are noted and you can glean information from that.

Dating the Portrait Coinage of Ptolemy I
Catharine C. Lorber
American Journal of Numismatics (1989-)
Vol. 24 (2012), pp. 33-44
http://www.jstor.org/stable/43580609?seq=8#page_scan_tab_contents

She may have other articles that are more focused on attribution, so try a google search for them.

 

The dimple really doesn't show up on tetradrachms; they are on the large bronze coins. My concern is with the tets.

 

HI Bob—an image would be good. Heres one of mine.

 

..that question was aimed @Alegandron on his bronze, but your AR is a fine one!

 

I trust the Seller @John Anthony 's attribution.

Unfortunately, I am not an expert in these fantastic coins.

Here is another Ptolemy II:


Egypt Ptolemy II 285-274 BC AE 17mm Eagle Cornuc SV 762

 

My attributions come directly from the site linked by @Ryro - That site is created by Daniel Wolf, and represents the most up-to-date scholarship on Ptolemaic bronzes. Here is the home page for other important links. If you love Ptolemaic coinage, study this site!