Hi all
I have this coin and this is the closest I can find on Numista, is from Ancient Greece are they the same coin? https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces53030.html
The diameter is about right at 29 MM, I would push mine to at least 30MM though
My coin weighs 23.9 grams, the Numista coin is about 22 grams, so that's not quite right
I was thinking mine was from Ptolemy II 285 - 246 BC Egypt not Greece
But I have seen images of Ptolemy III that look very similar, but again I think Egypt not Greece, the date is off also 246-222 BC not 176-170 BC like in Numista. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ptolemy+ii+coin+285-246+bc&qpvt=ptolemy+ii+coin+285-246+bc&form=IGRE&first=1&cw=1350&ch=618
Any help would be great!!!
Thanks in advance
About weight and diameter, it's normal. These ancient coins were not as regular as ours, so it can vary a bit, due to the striking methods as well as the wear.
I think this type of coin should be classified under ancient Greece because Egypt, at that time, was no longer the "Ancient Egypt" as we usually name it but was under Grecian rule. The Ptolemy was a dynasty that descended from a general of Alexander the Great, after the split of his empire between his generals. But well, I guess the name can be discussed, as they were no official countries at that time.
The coin is now classified as from Ptolemy II and was struck in Alexandria, Egypt (Lorber: Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire, 2018). It is cataloged under the Ancient Greek series of coins as a bronze diobol. It has been assigned over the years to Ptolemy III and II by various authors. Analysis of hoards has not given a definitive answer. There are 11 varieties of this coin under Ptolemy II: one is without a reverse control mark and the other ten have a letter between the legs of the eagle. Your specimen is worn in that position, so cannot be catalogued with greater detail.
The Ptolemy line, descended from one of Alexander's generals, believed in keeping their bloodline "pure" Greek, rather than diluting it with Egyptian blood, by marrying sons to daughters. The last queen--Cleopatra (VII, I think)--was married to her brother before he was killed (and before she married Julius Caesar).
Thank you all , from what I understand from all the responses, Ptolemy II is the highest probability for this coin, and the latest research is Greek not Egypt, but does that mean 285 to 246 BC if it is Ptolemy II?
thanks again !
