So I bought a Ptolemy

Because i like BIG coins:

Ptolemy III
AE41mm
Zeus Ammon / Eagle on thunderbolt
Svornos 1002



How big do these get? Please post some if you have them

 

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What is the weight? I have seen 48mm, mine is 42mm.


Ptolemy IV
Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right
ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopiae left Σ between legs
Mint: Alexandria (221-205 BC)
Wt./Size/Axis: 71.72g / 42mm / -
Notes: Dec 4, 13 - Svoronos 992; SNG Copenhagen 205

 

Ptolemaic bronzes are fun to collect. I purchased several from various fixed price dealers and the numbers tripled when I bought a mixed lot (mostly for the 48 mm Ptolemy, although there were several other good coins and the pedigree was appealing).

The 48 mm needs a reshoot-- it looks much better in real life, although like many such large coins it is not deeply struck.


EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus
285-246 BCE
AE48 mm, 91.8 gm
Obv: laureate head of Zeus Ammon right
Rev: eagle standing left on thunderbolt looking right, wings partly spread, E monogram between eagle's legs
Ref: Sear 7782, Svoronos 446
ex Professor James Eaton Collection

Below is the 48 mm coin with a 5 mm Macedon Monkey coin on top. With regard to coin details, I like the overall look of this obliquely lit image.



Most of my Ptolemy bronzes:



I've added more since this composite image. Although I'm not much of a completionist, I probably will shoot for a "one of each" set, at least with regards to the Ptolemaic men.

 

I like these coins...

Ptolemy IV, BC 246-222
AE41, 38.6mm; 12h
Obv.: Bust of Zeus-Ammon right
Rev.: ΠΤΟΛΣΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΣΩΣ; eagle standing left on thunderbolt, cornucopia tied with fillet before, ΔI between legs
Ref.: Svoronos 1125



Ptolemy II, BC 285-246
AE42, 63.51g, 12h
Obv.: head of Zeus-Ammon right
Rev.: ΠΤΟΛΣΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΣΩΣ; two eagles standign left on thunderbolt, Θ between legs of left eagle
Ref.: Svoronos 463


Ptolemy IX, BC 117-58
AE, 3.21g, 16mm; 12h; Neopaphos mint, Cyprus
Obv.: Head of Zeus Right
Rev.: Zeus standing holding torch & staff, star above
Ref.: Cox 128
This little one went for $0.99 so I had to have it.

The little guy above is only 17mm, from Ptolemy II. Don't have my notes handy...


Ptolemy IV, BC 225 - 201
AE, 32.8g, 33mm; 12h; Alexandria mint
Obv.: Head of Zeus-Amon right wearing taenia
Rev.: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΛΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ; eagle standing left on thunderbolt, ΛI between legs, filleted cornucopiae in left field
Ref.: Svoronos 1126



Ptolemy III BC 246-222
AE 38.6mm, 41.6g, Alexandria mint
Bust of Zeus-Amon right
Eagle standing half left on fulmen, wings closed, head right, filleted cornucopia right ascending from behind shoulder, E between legs
Svoronous 974

 

Nice pickup Greg. I have a smaller example

PTOLEMY IV
AE36
OBVERSE: Diademed head of Zeus Ammon right
REVERSE: PTOLEMIAOU BASILEWS, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, looking back at cornucopiae under right wing
Struck at Egypt 221-205 BC
46.4g, 36mm
SNG Cop 221

And an even smaller one

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 one greg....man, these big coins are awesome and a must have. i have a few, this is my largest at 40 mm.

 

What's with the holes in every single one?

 

The few examples i have are more in the high twenties and thirties...but i recall having one years ago that was about 40 mm or so..

I think TIF has the largest I have ever seen to date.

And all have that distinctive 'centering hole' for proper strike...

 

I have a budding collection. I need to add some of the unusual types now...

 

Doug has an article about centration dimples, although using some Roman Provincials as examples.

Another article, discussing Ptolemaic coins specifically.

A great site for learning about Ptolemy Bronzes, PtolemyBronze.com.

 

Certain ancient cultures used a lathe-turning technology to prepare the flans for striking. The holes are referred to as dimples. For a good description of this technology, see this page. Be sure to click through the following pages for the full analysis...

Lathe Machining of Bronze Coin Flans

 

Here's one I sold about a year and a half ago, the heaviest I can remember recently at 65.3 grams:

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy IV Philopater, 221 - 205 BC
AE Drachm, Alexandria Mint, 41mm, 65.3 grams
Obverse: Head of Zeus Ammon right with diadem and floral ornament within dotted border.
Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt with head turned to right with wings open, cornucopia to right, DI between legs.
SNGCop199

 

Another one, not in the composite picture posted earlier:


EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes
246-222 BCE
AE35, 35.53 gm
Obv: head of Zeus Ammon right with ram's horn, wearing taenia diadem
Rev: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ BΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ; eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt, filleted cornucopia left; XP monogram between eagle's legs
Ref: Svoronos 965

 

That's a gorgeous coin---unbelievable eye-appeal in every way!!! TIF, I LOVE it!!!

And, I'm still amazed at the incredible weight of the Ken Dorney posted bronze----more than 65 grams ??? WOW!

 

Congrats on scoring a sweet Ptolemy, Smeag ... I like it

I have a handful of PT examples as well ... nuthin' like a few of the other CT-freaks, but still pretty cool ...




...

 

Gol, the second one with the blue background is amaze!

 

I don't play favourites ... all my kids are gifted!!

 

How many coins does everyone have?
No matter what the type is that we're discussing, everybody's got like a dozen examples!
I only have 140 coins. 130 of them are in my one-per-emperor collection.

 

Unless you're a big showoff, you really don't need a dozen of these . However, now that you've got yourself a large one, you really do need a small one too.

 

You're so right. And I need a Cleopatra VII, everybody's favourite Ptolemy.