There's a monster in my home!

TIF · May 8, 2017

Awesome, @Alegandron!!

I wonder if there is any significant difference between the two styles (all four hooves on the ground vs. left forefoot raised).

Since you brought it up, here's mine (for the umpteenth time on CoinTalk ). Hey, that "solar disk with uraei" looks mighty like the Flying Spaghetti Monster, doesn't it?!

ZEUGITANA, Carthage
early 2nd century BCE
AE 15-shekel, 45 mm, 95 gm
Obv: wreathed head of Tanit left
Rev: horse standing right, left foreleg up; solar disk with uraei above
Ref: Alexandropoulos J (2000) Les monnaies de l'Afrique Antique, 103; Müller L (1861) Numismatique de L'Ancienne Afrique, 131; Luynes 3782; Jenkins GK and Lewis RB (1963) Carthaginian Gold and Electrum Coins, Royal Numismatic Society, London, pl. 28 12

It's as thick as a Reese's PBC.

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Jwt708 · May 8, 2017

These are my largest:

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

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

Alegandron · May 8, 2017

TIF said: ↑

I wonder if there is any significant difference between the two styles (all four hooves on the ground vs. left forefoot raised).
Click to expand...

Not sure! We will have to do a little homework...
Looking at my SNG Cop Plate book, there are SNG Cop 399 at 91.34g and 400 at 102.64g, both having 4 on-the-floor.

Plate 15

TIF said: ↑

Hey, that "solar disk with uraei" looks mighty like the Flying Spaghetti Monster, doesn't it?!
Click to expand...

LOL, HAIL yes it does! Unfortunately, my Uraei was lost in the strike!

Hmmm...

David Atherton · May 8, 2017

ValiantKnight said: ↑

I've finally gotten a hold of one of these huge Ptolemaic toe-crushers, courtesy of JAZ Numismatics. As usual, this was one of many types of coins on my "list" but wasn't something I was seriously looking for... until a few weeks ago. I initially found a different Ptolemy IV octobol that I wanted at first, but out of random curiosity I decided to look at John's stock for any other coins I might have been interested in. As my luck would have it, he had a slightly heavier and better-looking octobol for almost the same price as the first coin so I decided to go for that one instead. I think my previous largest coin in terms of weight is my Roman Republic Janus As, which is less than half that of my new octobol (71.64 grams). This purchase also marks my return into the realm of Ptolemaic coins.

Ptolemy IV, Ptolemaic Kingdom
Æ octobol
Obv: Head of Zeus-Ammon right.
Rev: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, cornucopia to left.
Mint: Alexandria
Size: 40 mm, 71.64 gr.
Ref: SNG Milano 216

(click photo to enlarge)
View attachment 621605

Ptolemy IV Philopator (in Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ, "Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr"; his Egyptian name: Iwaennetjerwy-menkhwy Setepptah Userkare Sekhemankhamun, "Heir of the [two] Beneficent Gods, Chosen of Ptah, Powerful is the Soul of Re, Living Image of Amun") was the fourth ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt. The Ptolemies took control of Egypt in the wake of the breakup of Alexander's Empire, when Ptolemy I Soter was declared as Pharaoh in 305 BC. Almost a century later in 221 BC, Ptolemy IV succeeded Ptolemy III, his father, as Pharaoh.

View attachment 621599

Ptolemy IV was a debauched and self-indulgent individual, who let himself be taken advantage of by his favorites in the government, especially by a fellow Greek named Sosibius. It might have been Sosibius that helped to turn Ptolemy against his mother and brother, both of whom the Pharaoh had killed in his first year.

Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire, taking advantage of Ptolemy and his ineffectual government, began attacking Egyptian possessions in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia. So successful was Antiochus that Egypt proper was vulnerable to invasion. But he was stalled for some time by Ptolemy's negotiators, who managed a four-month truce with the Seleucid king. Ptolemy used this time to raise and equip an army of mercenaries and native Egyptians, which helped him win a decisive battle against the Seleucid forces at Raphia in the summer of 217 BC. The Pharaoh spent little time in re-establishing control in the region in order to quickly return to his lavish lifestyle in Egypt.

View attachment 621600

His arming of native Egyptians came back to haunt Ptolemy. In general the Egyptians resented this foreign Greek rule over their land, especially since Ptolemaic rule largely only benefited the Greeks in the kingdom. The Ptolemaic kings did not even bother to learn the Egyptian language (until Cleopatra VII). An insurrection was started by the Egyptians that eventually resulted in a rebel kingdom in Upper Egypt that was headed by native Pharaohs. Ptolemy's prosecution of hostilities against these rebels contributed to the economic decline of his kingdom.

View attachment 621601

Ptolemy is also known for building a massive galley known as the Tessarakonteres (the "forty-rowed"), which was the largest ship built in antiquity and also the largest human-powered vessel ever. However, it was not meant to be operational but rather just for display.

View attachment 621602

Ptolemy IV died in 204 BC, and was succeeded by (surprise, surprise) Ptolemy V, his son.

Post your Ptolemaic coins or anything else that is relevant!
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Great post as always VK! And what a beautiful coin too!

stevex6 · May 9, 2017

Wow, Jango ... congrats on scoring your sweet new monster!

Great coins, gang

Ummm, I have a couple of those cool 40 mm x 70 grams PT-IV monsters (they're fricken awesome, in-hand)

ValiantKnight · May 8, 2017

Man, some crazy awesome and beautiful stuff posted. Can't wait to get a silver Ptolemaic and especially a 90-100 gram bronze. Thanks again for the posts+comments+info everyone!

TIF said: ↑

Killer new coin, VK! (Literally, if you threw it hard at someone's head )
Click to expand...

ValiantKnight · May 8, 2017

TIF said: ↑

Can you make out the monogram between the eagle's legs? I think it is ΛI, so Svoronos 1126.
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I didn't even notice that that was a monogram, figured that was part of the thunderbolt. Interesting for sure, will definitely look more into it.

ValiantKnight · May 9, 2017

I'm thinking of who else here might have one of these huge Ptolemaic bronzes. I think @Sallent ?

Sallent · May 9, 2017

ValiantKnight said: ↑

I'm thinking of who else here might have one of these huge Ptolemaic bronzes. I think @Sallent ?
Click to expand...

Ask and ye shall receive.

Ptolemy IV Philopator AE40 Pentobol (40.45mm, 44.2g)
222-204 BC
Diademed head of Zeus Ammon right
Eagle with folded wings standing left on thunderbolt, head right; filleted cornucopia on shoulder; Λ between legs
Svoronos 1166; SNG Copenhagen 221

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There's a monster in my home!

TIF Always learning.

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Jwt708 Well-Known Member

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

David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

stevex6 Random Mayhem

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

Sallent Live long and prosper

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There's a monster in my home!

TIF Always learning.

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Jwt708 Well-Known Member

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

David Atherton Flavian Fanatic

stevex6 Random Mayhem

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

Sallent Live long and prosper

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