Ptolemaic Bronze Denomination Series

Visit the PtolemAE Project Home Page

Welcome to the Ptolemaic Bronze Coin Denomination Series Page

All photos, content, design, and descriptions are (c)2006-26 by Daniel Wolf
All rights reserved worldwide. No copying, use, or distribution without written permission.
Updated March 20, 2026
Countermarked examples shown separately at the end of this presentation
SV#### are Svoronos catalog numbers, B### are Lorber CPE catalog numbers
NOTE: You may ignore the 'site not secure' reported by some browsers because this site does not have 'https' encryption.
This site is perfectly safe. It is not a commercial site and there is no information collected by this site.
NO COOKIES ARE USED ON THIS SITE and this site does not track visitors in any way.
We hope that soon the better browsers will be able to detect when web sites are perfectly safe like this one.

Part I - Bronze Coinage from ca. 305 to 266 BC: Alexandria, Cyprus, Tyre, and Thracian Mints.
Issued during the reign of Ptolemy I and part of the reign of Ptolemy II.
Ptolemaic Bronze Weight Standard #1 (average weights given here)

Chalkous average weight ~ 0.95 grams : Dichalkon ~ 1.9 grams : Hemiobol ~ 3.8 grams
Pentachalkon ~ 4.7 grams : Obol ~7.6 grams : Diobol ~ 15.2 grams
Denomination weights are in relative proportion to chalkous (unit) weight.
Note: Bronze coin weights are not strictly controlled and vary about +/- 15% from the average.

Ptolemy I-II - Alexandria, Tyre, and Other Mints - Series I-II
ca. 290-266BC, Weight Standard #1
There are six sizes in the earliest series shown in the top row here. And there are only two denominations in the subsequent slightly later series. Both share two denominations in common; the laureate Zeus 'diobol' (ca. 15.2gm) and an Alexander wearing elephantskin headdress 'obol' (ca. 7.6gm). The coins we normally assign to Ptolemy I are shown in the top row. They lack control letters in the eagle's legs, the control letters and monograms are to the left of the eagle. The recent publication on early Ptolemaic bronze metrology shows that the coins with aplustre on the reverse are a previously unrecognized pentachalkon (5 chalkoi) denomination. The aplustre distinguishes the pentachalkon from the hemiobols of quite similar design. Svoronos recognized some of those appeared to differ in diameter and set them apart in his catalog but the metrological study firmly established the aplustre as a marker for a specific denomination metrologically distinct from the hemiobols (4 chalkoi). The rightmost coin, uniquely depicting the long-haired horned Alexander on such a small denomination is Svoronos 345, also a one-chalkous coin, only 12mm in diameter (0.95 grams). (NOTE - previously described here as uncatalogued, now correctly identified as Sv 345).
The second row here shows the diobols and obols of the same weight standard, but which introduced the control letters to the position in the eagle's legs. That second row is made of three 'sub-series' which have the SIGMA/Shield at left, or the same with additional XAP monogram or SI letters. There are numerous leg control letters in the types with SIGMA over shield and SIGMA over shield over XA(P) we assign to Ptolemy II. There are clearly related types of diobols and obols throughout this period with linked control marks and other symbols placed similarly and spanning both sizes. This coinage begins at an indeterminate time perhaps as early as about 290BC and dominated the bronze issues for perhaps 30 years or longer. We believe the earliest are the types with only letters or monograms to the left of the eagle (top row), likely begun under Ptolemy I and continued into the reign of Ptolemy II. These are followed by the series of Ptolemy II (second row) with SIGMA over a Galatian shield, and ending with the series with an additional complex monogram under the shield (XAP). One similar set that display SIGMA over shield over SIGMA IOTA. It consists of only two coin: Sv554 (ALPHA/PHI control) and Sv564 (DELTA control - shown here), both diobols. None have central depressions seen on the later 'post-reform' series. Nor is the familiar cornucopia in evidence. The post-reform series (see below) appear to adopt mintmarks (club, cornucopiae, and/or monogram) with central depressions indicating a new method of manufacture. It is likely that many shown here are issues of Alexandria, with some smaller sizes possibly from provincial mints (symbols such as club, helmet, aplustre, etc.). This is altogether a remarkable group in that there are over 80 catalogued combinations of control letters and monograms.

28mm - 15.2gm
Diobol
A - Sv184
IG - Sv193
L/M - Sv206
G - Sv213
PI/Y - Sv219
PHI - Sv230
A/various - Sv269-303
S - Sv550
OMEGA - known but not catalogued

22mm - 7.6gm
Obol
D - Sv186
DI - Sv188
A - Sv196
M/I - Sv202
S - Sv215
PI/Y - Sv220
PI/Y - Sv225
TI - Sv226
XA - Sv235
EP - Sv237
EY/KL - Sv356
EY/M - Sv360
EY/XAP - Sv363
EY/KI/XAP - Sv377
ST/KI/A - Sv379

20mm - 4.7gm
Pentachalkon
Aplustre/Aphlaston
on reverse
Aplustre (alone) - Sv155
Aplustre (alone) - Sv156
Aplustre/Helmet - Sv172
Aplustre/DI - Sv157
Aplustre/TI - Sv157A

18mm - 3.8gm
Hemiobol
L/PI - Sv51
OT - Sv119
PI T - Sv130
TI - Sv135
TS - Sv136
DI - Sv189
HP - Sv238
X/Helmet - Sv163
PI-Y/Helmet - Sv167
H/Helmet - Sv170
KL/Helmet - Sv171

18mm - 3.8gm
Hemiobol
Tyre Mint
Club above Symbol
Club/A - Sv627
Club/AG - Sv628
Club/PI-A - Sv630
Club/XA - Sv 633

18mm - 3.8gm
Hemiobol
Tyre Mint
Symbol above Club
I/Club - Sv635
H/Club - Sv638
PI/Club - Sv641
S/Club - Sv642

13mm - 1.9gm
Dichalkon
HP - Sv239 'B
Not Catalogued
Sv239, with HP monogram,
is comparable,
but has long-haired Alexander.

10mm - 0.95gm
Chalkous
PI (ALE inscription) - Sv53

12mm - 0.95gm
Chalkous
KE (Lamda E ?) control - Sv345

28mm - 15.2gm
Diobol
Laureate Zeus
Open-wing eagle left
'SIGMA' over Shield
Control in eagle's legs:
A/T - Sv553
PI/A - Sv556
A - Sv560
D - Sv563
E - Sv568
Th - Sv571
I - Sv576
L - Sv580
O - Sv586
RHO - Sv593
Y - Sv598
none - Sv600
PHI - Svoronos refers this to Sv553
Alexandria Mint

20mm - 7.6gm
Obol
Alexander in elephantskin
Open-wing eagle left
'SIGMA' over shield
Control in eagle's legs:
D - Sv565
none - Sv601
Alexandria Mint

28mm - 15.2gm
Diobol
Laureate Zeus
Open-wing eagle left
'SIGMA' over Shield
'XP' under Shield
Control in eagle's legs:
PI/A - Sv557
A - Sv561
Th - Sv572
I - Sv577
L - Sv581
O - Sv587
G - Sv589
T - Sv594
K - known but not in Svoronos
Possible Mint in Greece

20mm - 7.6gm
Obol
Alexander in elephantskin
Open-wing eagle left
'SIGMA' over shield
'XP' under Shield
Control in eagle's legs:
A - Sv562
D - Sv565
L - Sv582
none - Sv602
Possible Mint in Greece

28mm - 15.2gm
Diobol
Laureate Zeus
Open-wing eagle left
'SIGMA' over Shield
SI under Shield
Control in eagle's legs:
A/T - Sv554
D - Sv564
L - Known but not in Svoronos
Possible Sidon Mint

Ptolemy I - Aphrodite Portrait Issues ca. 310 - 305 BC
Cyprus Mint - Weight Standard #1

This series consists of three denominations of obol, hemiobol, and chalkous, all with Aphrodite portraits on the obverse. Some have control symbols on the reverse and may have partial legends or legends with the royal name at right. They conform to the weight standard of Series I - II with an obol mean weight of 7.6 grams and chalkous of about 0.95 grams. These are among the earliest bronzes bearing the name of Ptolemy.

19mm - 7.6gm
Obol
Sv74
Aphrodite wearing Polos
Closed-wing eagle left
PTOLEMAIOY at right
No control symbols
With controls at left:
Star - Sv75
'TK' - Sv76
H - Sv77
Wreath - Sv78

16mm - 3.8gm
Hemiobol
Sv79 B119
Aphrodite wearing Stephane
Open-wing eagle left
Partial legend: PTO at left
No control symbols

16mm - 3.8gm
Hemiobol
Sv80 B123
Aphrodite wearing Stephane
Open-wing eagle left
Wreath control symbol at left
Plain taenia headdress:
Sv81 B120

10mm - 0.95gm
Chalkous
Svxx B125
Aphrodite wearing Polos
Closed-wing eagle left
Partial legend: PTO at right
Wreath control symbol at left
Uncatalogued - cf Sv82
No wreath:
Sv82 B121

Ptolemy I - II Macedonian Mint
Weight Standard #1

The Ptolemaic empire's provincial coinage included issues of a Macedonian mint under its control. The Ptolemy Keraunos types here were formerly attributed to 'Paroreia' and the S. Psoma discovered these types (two denominations, see the Metrology study in 2013 ANS) are Macedonian and associated with Ptolemaic rule. They conform to the Ptolemaic bronze weight standard #1 for obols and hemiobols, also known for other mints.

23mm - 7.6gm
B155
Ptolemy Keraunos, ca. 280BC
Laureate Zeus
NK control at left
Obol, Pre-Reform Weight Standard #1

20mm - 3.8gm
B160
Ptolemy Keraunos, ca. 280BC
Laureate Zeus
Theta control at left
Hemiobol, Pre-Reform Weight Standard #1

Part II - Bronze Coinage from ca. 266 - 205 BC: Alexandria, Cyprus, Sicily, Tyre, Cyrene and several undetermined mmints.
Issued during the later part of the reign of Ptolemy II and then Ptolemy III and Ptolemy IV.
Ptolemaic Bronze Weight Standard #2 (average weights given here)

The 2nd Ptolemaic bronze weight standard increased denomination weights by 50% around 266 BC.
Chalkous average weight ~ 1.43 grams : Dichalkon ~ 2.8 grams : Hemiobol ~ 5.6 grams
Obol ~11.4 grams : Diobol ~ 22.8 grams : Tetrobol ~45.6 grams : Drach ~ 68.4 grams : Octobol ~91.2
Denomination weights are in relative proportion to chalkous (unit) weight.
Note: Bronze coin weights are not strictly controlled and vary about +/- 15% from the average.

Ptolemy II - Sicily Mint ca. 266-264 BC
Post-reform, Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

The Sicilian Ptolemaic bronzes are two 1/4 drachm (~17.1 grams) types, both with Laureate Zeus portrait on obverse and open-wing eagle on reverse along with a Galatian shield to the left of the eagle. No control letters, monograms, or other symbols. Type 1 has a circle of dots around the reverse border and Type 2 has a solid circle border. Type 1 is clearly a Ptolemaic issue, evidenced by the dotted reverse border, fixed 12h die axes, and portrait styles that resemble other Zeus portrait types from Alexandria and other mints after the weight standard reform (so-called 'Alexandrian' style). Weiser (1995) called these 'Alexandrian Style' but ignored important measurable physical properties (borders, die axes, and their 17.1 grams weight which is only sensible relative to the reformed 68.4 gram drachm weight of the second weight standard) that tell us that 'Alexandrian' portrait styles is the least . Certainly Type 1 are Ptolemaic coins issued by a Ptolemaic mint. The mint is assigned to Sicily for several reasons:
1. because hundreds of them have been found on Sicily, a few in southern Italy, but none in Egypt. 2. their 1/4 drachm weight is the same as Hieron II's portrait/horseman bronze litra coins that circulated with them 3. they are a single unique denomination issued only on Sicily during this time period
The detailed story about these coins is in the 2022 paper 'Siclian Ptolemaic Bronzes and the Coinage of Hieron II' (2022).
Type 2 (with the solid circle reverse border) is included here as a Ptolemaic mint issue because it is so similar to Type 1, with the same mean weight, fixed 12h die axes, and style of Zeus portraits. Type 2 coins are not as commonly found as Type 1 and we do not yet know why the Ptolemaic mint carved solid borders on the dies for some coins other than that the solid border is nearly universally found on other Sicilian bronze coins.

28mm - 17.1gm
Sv610 B289 - shield with no control symbols
Type 1 - Dotted reverse border
Fixed 12h Die Axes
Egyptian Style Portrait
Ptolemaic Mint on Sicily
Ptolemaic Weight/Value:
1/4 Post-reform Drachm
Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

28mm - 17.1gm
Sv610 B290 - shield no control symbols
Type 2 - Solid reverse border
Fixed 12h Die Axes
Egyptian Style Portrait
Ptolemaic Mint on Sicily
Ptolemaic Weight/Value:
1/4 Post-reform Drachm
Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

Hieron II Imitations of Sicilian Ptolemaic Bronzes
Sicilian Bronze Litrae - ca. 266-260BC
Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 = Sicilian Litra Standard ~17.1 grams

These are four types, separately tabulated below, that resemble the Sicilian Ptolemaic bronzes in weight, general design, and having the same reverse inscription as the two types of Sicilian Ptolemaic bronzes described above. They have physical and stylistic properties that easily allow us to see they are not actually Ptolemaic coins: 1. all four types have variable die axes, not the Ptolemaic standard fixed 12h die axes 2. all of their portrait styles are obviously dissimilar to Ptolemaic bronze coins made during this time period on Sicily and at other Ptolemaic mints. 3. three of the four types have subsidiary control letters or monograms that are linked to those of Hieron II's portrait/horseman bronzes. 4. these types have solid circle reverse borders, with only one notable exception

Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 1
No Control Symbols

The Type 1 imitative issues of Hieron II have no control symbols on the reverse, just the shield to the left of the eagle. The Zeus portrait style is obviously different from Ptolemaic coins, moreover, all the known specimens of Type 1 are issues of a single obverse die. They also have variable die axes. The lack of control symbols might indicate they are a 'transitional' type as Hieron began to make coins intended to resemble, and be interchangeable with, the Ptolemaic ones. Note also the reverse eagle style is recognizably diffrent from the two Ptolemaic types described above. In the first paper (NC, 2011) analyzing these Sicilian coins, Lorber and Wolf called these 'Svoronos 610A' and Svoronos would have included these, technically, with Svoronos 610 as they lack controls on the reverse but deeper analysis shows they are clearly a different type than Svoronos 610. Lorber sensibly distinguished them as B290.

28mm - 17.1gm
CPE B290 - no control symbols
Imitative Type 1
Solid reverse border
Random Die Axes
Sicilian Portrait - Unique Obverse Die
Imitating Ptolemaic Type B289
Sicilian Mint of Hieron II
Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 2
Control or monogram above or below the shield

The Type 2 imitative issues of Hieron II have control symbols on the reverse, below or above the shield. The Zeus portrait style is obviously 'non-Ptolemaic' and they have variable die axes and solid circle reverse borders. There are four varieties of Type 2, with controls N or PHI below the shield, and the monogram NK either above or below the shield.

28mm - 17.1gm
Sv612 CPE B292 - NK below shield
Solid reverse border
Variable Die Axes
Imitating Ptolemaic Type 2
Sicilian Mint of Hieron II
Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

28mm - 17.1gm
Sv624 B293 - PHI below shield
Solid reverse border
Random Die Axes
Sicilian Portrait Group A
Imitating Ptolemaic Type
Sicilian Mint of Hieron II
Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

28mm - 17.1gm
Sv620 B294 - N below shield
Solid reverse border
Random Die Axes
Sicilian Portrait Group A
Imitating Ptolemaic Type
Sicilian Mint of Hieron II
Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

Ptolemy II
Alexandria Post-Reform (after ca. 265BC) Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of at least 7 coin sizes. There are numerous leg monograms (Theta, Lamda, Iota, Rho, Delta, etc.) in this series so various nice examples are presented here from the PtolemAE collection (one size substituted by a comparable style issue of Tyre - see below). Svoronos catalog numbers are numerous and not all sizes are known in all monogram varieties. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. Monograms are abbreviated in English below (nm=NONE, A=ALPHA, B=BETA, D=DELTA, E=EPSILON, I=IOTA, Th=THETA, L=LAMDA, P=RHO, T=TAU, Y=UPSILON, O=OMICRON, X=CHI, W=OMEGA). Some examples show a combination UPSILON/TAU (Y with a cross mark) monogram. When viewing the Tyre, Sidon, and Ptolemais series below note that the main design types largely match the Alexandria series which makes these all fit together into a picture of one coherent coinage. The provincial mint series do not have any leg monograms but all show the typical mintmark indications of their locations.

42mm - 68.4gm
Drachm
Sv413 - nm
Sv422 - A
Sv431 - B
Sv437 - D
Sv447 - E
Sv457 - I
Sv463 - Th
Sv464 - Th/ME
Sv479 - L
Sv497 - P
Sv504 - T
Sv504 - Y/T
Sv514 - X

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv414 - nm
Sv448 - E
Sv480 - L
Sv505 - T or Y/T
Sv509 - Y
Sv515 - X

30mm - 22.8gm
Diobol
Sv415 - nm
Sv423 - A
Sv438 - D
Sv449 - E
Sv465 - Th(O)
Sv466 - ME/Th
Sv481 - L
Sv498 - P
Sv506 - T or Y/T
Sv510 - Y
Sv516 - X

24mm - 11.4gm
Obol
Sv424 - A
Sv439 - D
Sv450 - E
Sv467 - Th
Sv482 - L
Sv493 - O
Sv499 - P
Sv507 - T
Sv511 - Y
Sv519 - Omega

20mm - 7.6gm
Tri Hemiobol
Sv416 - nm
Sv425 - A
Sv440 - D
Sv451 - E
Sv468 - T
Sv473 - I
Sv483 - L
Sv493 - O
Sv500 - P

18mm - 5.7gm
Hemiobol
Sv417 - nm
Sv441 - D
Sv452 - E
Sv469 - Th
Sv473 - I
Sv484 - L
Sv501 - P

15mm - 2.9gm
Dichalkon
Sv418 - nm
Sv431 - B
Sv442 - D
Sv453 - E
Sv470 - Th(O)
Sv474 - I
Sv485 - L
Sv493 - O

Ptolemy II
Sidon(?) Double Cornucopia - Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of at least 5 coins with double cornucopiae as the prominent feature of the reverse that distinguishes these from the parallel Alexandria series. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. Svoronos associated these types with Sidon though modern analyses suggest the actual mint remains unknown.

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv758 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder
Drachm

38mm - 45.6gm
Sv759 - Double Cornucopia in left field
Tetrobol

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv760 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder
Diobol

24mm - 11.4gm
Sv763 - Double Cornucopia in left field. This type may actually be Ptolemy I or belong to an issue without center depressions prior to about 265BC
Obol

24mm - 11.4gm
Sv761 - Double Cornucopia in left field
Obol

20mm - 5.7gm
Sv762 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder
Hemiobol

17mm - 3.8gm
Sv??? - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder. Uncatalogued type - uncertain if it belongs to this series or a later issue of Ptolemy IV or V. Appears to be a member of this series.

Ptolemy II
Tyre Double Cornucopia/Club Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of at least 5 coins with double cornucopiae as the prominent feature of the reverse that distinguishes these from the parallel Alexandria series. In addition this series features a club in the left field to distinguish them from the Sidon series coins. Svoronos attributed these to Gaza but the typical club feature of other Ptolemaic Tyre coins and find locations in and around Lebanon seems to indicate they are from the major Ptolemaic mint in Tyre. Sizes and weights shown here are the ' nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. Svoronos also catalogued (Sv837) a type of ~20mm and about 7.6 gm with double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and club in left field. It is likely that Sv837 type does not really exist and the specimen so catalogued and illustrad by Svoronos (from Milan) is simply a slightly large specimen of Svoronos 838 - which shares identical design elements. No other specimen of Svoronos 837 has been observed.

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv834 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder, club in left field
Drachm

38mm - 45.6gm
Sv835 - Double Cornucopia and club in left field
Tetrobol

30mm - 22.8gm
SvXXX - Double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and club in left field - not catalogued in Svoronos or any other reference. Six known specimens.
Diobol

24mm - 11.4gm
Sv836 - Double cornucopia and club in left field
Obol

16mm - 5.7gm
Sv838 - Cornucopia on eagle shoulder and club in left field
Hemiobol

Ptolemy II
Ake Ptolemais Double Cornucopia/Circled-PI-TAU Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of only 3 coin types with double cornucopiae as the prominent feature of the reverse that distinguishes these from the parallel Alexandria series and unifies them with Tyre and Sidon (see above). In addition this series features a CIRCLE-PI-TAU monogram in the left field identifying them as originating from Ake Ptolemais. In contrast to the related denomination series from Sidon and Tyre, only these 3 sizes and weight denominations are known. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. The last coin shown has a somewhat different style and might reflect an issue of a later reign, possibly Ptolemy V.

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv788 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder with CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field
Drachm

38mm - 45.6gm
Sv789 - Double Cornucopia and CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field
Tetrobol

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv790 - Double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field
Diobol

30mm - 18gm?
Sv790v - Double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field
Diobol

Ptolemy I - II - DELTA IOTA /AI Series
This denomination series consists of several types which may reflect issues over more than one reign. The coins are enigmatic singly and when considered together, with the DELTA IOTA in common but some also showing a 'palm branch' or a star in combination with the letter pair. Their origin is uncertain but likely a Phoenician mint. The two largest coins depicting laureate Zeus are consistent with early Ptolemy I or II diobols, slightly light, but the smallest types may have central depressions indicating a later mintage (after ca. 265BC). Stylistically all are compatible with Ptolemy II but the smaller pieces could be issues as late as Ptolemy IV. The smallest denomination appears to be a depiction of Arsinoe, veiled, but which Arsinoe (I, II, or III) is unclear. Whether the DELTA IOTA letter pair on these coins is related to the same pair found as control letters in the eagle legs on coins of Ptolemy IV is also not known. Those lacking central depressions appear to be 'pre-reform' (pre- 265BC) and the DELTA IOTA may be related to that letter pair seen on early Ptolemaic tetradrachms of Ptolemy I, especially for the first three presented here. The two smallest specimens here appear to show LAMDA IOTA, though it could well be these are simply slightly unclear versions of the DELTA IOTA. One might even interpret the letters on some specimens as ALPHA IOTA. The two coins with DELTA IOTA over palm branch are clearly related and in the same sense as we see on other early Ptolemy I-II diobol/obol relationships. All are rare. There is a very unusual additional specimen of these types, Sv 351, shown below in the countermark section because it has a unique large EB (or BE) countermark on the obverse and might be a re-marking of this type as a Berenike coin. It is unique and a truly enigmatic variation in that it not only has the unusual and very clear countermark but also has a die axis of 8h. If these are indeed pre-reform types then their values are multiples of a chalkous weight of 0.95 grams. Post-reform values are multiples of a chalkous weight of about 1.44 grams.

30mm - 11.4gm
Sv341 - DELTA IOTA at left

30mm - 15gm
Sv381 - DELTA IOTA over a palm branch at left

21mm - 8gm
Sv382 - DELTA IOTA over a palm branch at left

23mm - 8gm
Sv384 - DELTA IOTA (LAMDA IOTA?) over star over PI-Y at left

17mm - 2.9gm
Sv386 - AI over * over PI-A (monogram) at left

18mm - 3.8gm
Sv351 - AI over X (or XA monogram) at left

17mm - 4.8gm
Not in Svoronos - AI over IE monogram at left

Ptolemy II - III - Proto-Natabaean Overstrikes
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This group is not, strictly speaking, a particular denomination series of one ruler. They demonstrate that early Nabataean coinage seems to have relied on re-striking existing circulating Ptolemaic coins, particularly those of Ptolemy II and III, to serve as flans. These coins are fairly scarce and the overstriking (of a type sometimes attributed to Aretas II, Athena obverse over standing Nike reverse) almost always obliterates the undertype to a degree that makes the undertype not specifically identifiable. In very rare cases we can be absolutely certain about the undertype and can see that they are (usually small) coins of Ptolemy II and III. It appears there are also coins of Ptolemy IV that have been used but are not shown here. These very interesting types tell us that Nabataean coinage appears to have started no earlier than about 200BC but perhaps earlier than is clear from the (presumably later) types that are not overstruck. The types of Ptolemy II shown here (at left) are most likely either Svoronos 417 (Zeus / open-wing eagle) and possibly others with control letters no longer visible. The coins at right are likely (and some clearly identifiable) types of Ptolemy III. Two coins show the typical cornucopia at the left of the eagle and with one coin displaying the CHI-RHO. One appears to have the harpa mintmark of Joppa mint, one of the Phoenician mints that issued Ptolemaic bronze coins in mid 3rd C. BC. The coins shown here are oriented to show the Ptolemaic coin undertype. Interestingly, some of the coins are struck in a 'reverse sense' (obverse Nabataean type on reverse of Ptolemaic type) and others are 'normal sense' overstrikes. An important reference paper on these overstruck Ptolemaic coins is "The Earliest Nabataean Coinage" by Rachel Barkay in Numismatic Chronicle (2011), with images of more related coins and a classification system for them.

22mm - 7.6gm
Likely Sv 416 - Open wing eagle reverse, Ptolemy II

19mm - 3.8gm
Likely Sv 417 - Open wing eagle reverse, Ptolemy II

16mm - 3.8gm
Sv??? - Closed wing eagle reverse, possibly Ptolemy III

18mm - 2.9gm
Sv??? - Closed-wing eagle reverse, possibly Ptolemy III

18mm - 3.8gm
Sv969 - CHI-RHO monogram

15mm - 2.9gm
Sv970 - CHI-RHO monogram

17mm - 2.47gm
Sv819 - Harpa mintmark (Joppa)

Ptolemy II - Ptolemy III - Ptolemy IV Queen Portraits
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

These coins are not all from one 'denomination series', but they are sensibly grouped here to show the 3rd C. BC depictions of Ptolemaic Queen portraits on smaller bronze coins. Two coins (left) are fairly early Asia Minor issues depicting Arsinoe, one during the occupation of Northern Thrace and another during the brief period that Ephesos was renamed 'Arsinoeia'. Another group of four types follows with portraits of Berenike, likely issued at Ras Ibn Hani (Syria) during its occupation by either Ptolemy II or III. These coins are all not all that well-understood and they are unusual for Ptolemaic bronzes in that they have an obverse inscription naming the Queen. Note that some have the PTOLEMAIOY written in the opposite direction usually seen on Ptolemaic bronzes. They all lack the central depressions which might imply they all precede 260BC, however the Berenike portrait coins could be from the time of the 3rd Syrian war, from 246-241BC. One Berenike portrait coin (2nd from far right) may help date these as it is a very unusual overstrike on a bronze of Antiochos II (undertype is clearly visible and identifiable as SC572 on the reverse if you rotate it 90% counterclockwise - Apollo seated leaning with left elbow on a kithara and even the BASILEOS inscription of the undertype is clearly struck). This remarkable coin is much more clear than the only other known example (see Catharine Lorber's paper on the bronze Berenike coins of Ras Ibn Hani which has photos of the other known piece). This remarkable overstrike is even the more interesting because it has two different countermarks on the reverse, a cornucopia (upside down near the lower edge) and either a trident head or PTO monogram countermark similar to that seen on rare specimens of Sv 1006 (Ptolemy III 'Aphrodite Statue Reverse type). The coin furthest to the right is a common coin of Ptolemy IV, likely depicting either the goddess, Aphrodite, or perhaps Arsinoe III. There are actually two varieties, possibly both from Cyprus, one with double cornucopia on the reverse and one with single cornucopia (Sv 1160 and 1161).

12mm - 1.6gm
Sv387

17mm - 2.8gm
Sv883

21mm - 8.2gm
Sv1055
NOTE - Normal PTOLEMAIOY orientation

21mm - 7.6gm
Sv1055
NOTE - Reversed PTOLEMAIOY orientation

18mm - 3.9gm
Sv1056v - no EY
NOTE - Reversed PTOLEMAIOY orientation

16mm - 4.6gm
Sv1056 - with EY
NOTE - Reversed PTOLEMAIOY orientation

18mm - 4.6gm
Sv1056 (ovestruck on Seleucid bronze, SC 572, Antiochos II)
NOTE - The Ptolemaic reverse is also doubly countermarked: cornucopia within an oval punch and PI-T-O monogram in round punch. Undertype best seen rotated -90deg.

16mm - 2.7gm
Sv1160-1161

Ptolemy III
Alexandria EPSILON or LAMDA or 'Plain' Series 4 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of at least 7 coins that comprise a denomination series for which most sizes exist as both EPSILON and LAMDA monogram types. The two largest sizes are also known in 'no monogram' types. The E monogram types are also well known to exist in some variations with closed loops at the top of the E and similar morphologies. The 2nd size E monogram (Sv974 and variants of the E morphology) coins are very plentiful, among the most common types of Ptolemaic bronzes. The third size is a denomination only recently discovered through metrological analysis - a 20-chalkous (2.5 obol) coin. The data are quite conclusive on this; the coins average about 28.5 grams, far less than the 'expected' weight of 34.2 grams were they actually hemidrachms, as they have been previously catalogued in all reference works. Here are shown a mix of both of the most prevalent monograms (E and LAMDA) to illustrate the full denomination series. Lorber has attributed these coins to the early part of the reign of Ptolemy III while some other references differ. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. In the following tabular presentation, the following indicate monogram types: E = EPSILON, L = LAMDA, nm = NONE.

48mm - 91.2gm
Octobol
Sv412 - nm
Sv446 - E(and var)
Sv478 - L
Sv482 - THETA
Sv502 - S (existence doubtful)
A - known but not in Svoronos

40mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1172 - nm
Sv1166 - L
Sv974 - E(var)
A - known but not in Svoronos
C - known but not in Svoronos

34mm - 28.5gm
Eikosachalkon (20)
Sv1167 - L
SV974a - E
A - SNG Cop 222
nm - known but not in Svoronos

30mm - 22.8gm
Diobol
Sv1168 - L

28mm - 16gm
Trihemiobol
Sv1169 - L
Sv975 - E(var)
C - known but not in Svoronos

24mm - 11.4gm
Obol
Sv1170 - L
Sv976 - E(var)
C - known but not in Svoronos

20mm - 5.7gm
Hemiobol
Sv1171 - L

Ptolemy III - Early Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of 5 coins all with very similar design, differing only in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is a ccompanied by closed-wing eagle on the reverse with the lotus blossom in the same position where we see a cornucopia or club on some other series. The very close similarity of the style and fabric led to including these together, though the Svoronos cataloging and other references may differ in reignal attribution. The style and fabric compare with other types attributed to Ptolemy III and the design elements are rendered so similarly that they are best interpreted as a denomination series. Catharine Lorber's 'Lotus of Aphrodite' paper was the first to recognize these are a coherent group of 3rd C. BC issues. The largest coins of this group are sometimes easily confused with ones of equal size, but quite different style, associated with the reign of Ptolemy VI (Svoronos 1403, 1404, ...). The largest was actually not known to Svoronos though it is sometimes conflated with Svoronos 1403. The second is likewise sometimes included with Svoronos 1404 (Ptolemy VI), and the smaller ones as Ptolemy II (841-843). Seen as the coherent group, we recognize the largest coin as an octobol that is similar in size/weight to others of Ptolemy III (e.g. Svoronos 412, 446, above), the second a tetrobol, etc., in a size/weight progression associated with Series 4 as seen above.

45mm - 91.2gm
Octobol
Sv - uncatalogued

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1404

28mm - 16gm
Trihemiobol
Sv841

22mm - 6gm
Hemiobol
Sv842

17mm - 4gm
Fraction
Sv843

Ptolemy IV - Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4 With Controls
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of coins all with very similar design, similar to the preceding, but with the control symbols seen on Ptolemy IV bronzes of other mints. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is accompanied by closed-wing eagle on the reverse with the lotus blossom in the same position at left. Controls include LAMDA IOTA, SIGMA, and SIGMA EPSILON (sometimes ligate as a monogram). As with issues of other mints, DELTA IOTA controls are also found (albeit not known to Svoronos). Svoronos cataloged these along with 1403 as issues of Ptolemy VI, not having seen all the types nor associating the style and fabric similarities to 3rd C. Series 4 coins and controls shared with coins of Ptolemy IV. The style and fabric and controls associate these with the preceding 'no control' group of Lotus Flower Series 4 types (above), a smaller series composed only of the two largest denominations (octobol and tetrobol).

45mm - 91.2gm
Octobol
Sv 1409 - LAMDA IOTA

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1411 - LAMDA IOTA
DELTA IOTA shown here

45mm - 91.2gm
Octobol
Sv 1412- SIGMA

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1413 - SIGMA

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1414 - SIGMA EPSILON

Ptolemy III
Alexandria Cornucopia with (No Control) Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of 8 coins all with no monogram that appear to be the earliest mintage of Series 5, later followed by the very large issue with the CHI/RHO monogram in the eagles' legs (see below) that includes more denominations. Most references agree that the attribution of all of these coins is to the mid or later part of the reign of Ptolemy III. Actual sizes and weights vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. We show here only the denominations that are known with 'no monogram' - most of which are very rare or exceedingly rare. Interestingly, the obol size is not known to exist. Some of the smaller sizes aren't in Svoronos but have now been catalogued in Catharine Lorber's CPE. The hemiobol and trichalkon denominations shown here may actually be just a range of weights of one denomination. Or this pair of denominations that are very difficult to distinguish visually may show us why the subsequent series, with CHI/RHO, have a couple of the smaller denominations re-designed with the Alexander in elephantskin obverse insead of Zeus Ammon - including the trichalkon. Note also that the closely related Tyre series simply has no denominations corresponding to the CHI/RHO 'Alexander' sizes, which tends to support the notion that early experience with small sizes in this series (no monograms) led to some re-thinking about how to make small denominations that could be told apart (CHI/RHO series) or just leaving out the ones that are hard to tell apart (Tyre series).

42mm - 68.4gm
Drachm
Sv1002
Eight specimens known

36mm - 34.2gm
Hemidrachm
Sv1003
Fourteen specimens known

30mm - 22.8gm
Diobol
Sv1004
Two specimens known

19mm - 5.8gm
Hemiobol
Svxxxx
One specimen known

17mm - 3.4gm
Trichalkon
Svxxxx
Two specimens known

Ptolemy III
Alexandria Cornucopia with CHI/RHO Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This series consists of eight denominations, perhaps the most of any single Ptolemaic bronze coinage series, all with the well-known CHI/RHO (XP) leg monogram. Most references agree that the attribution of all of these coins is to the mid or later part of the reign of Ptolemy III, shortly after the small initial issue of types with the same designs with 'no monogram' (see above). Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. These types, especially the largest drachm and hemidrachm, are very popular and sought after because the Ptolemaic mint's manufacturing quality and artistic beauty reached their peaks with of these issues. They were also made in very large quantitites and are sometimes found in large hoards (hundreds) so they can be obtained by collectors in very good quality. The larger coins of the Tyre and 'no monogram' related series, however, are scarce or exceedingly rare, though the artistic style and manufacturing quality are simlilarly excellent.

42mm - 68.4gm
Drachm
Sv964

36mm - 34.2gm
Hemidrachm
Sv965

30mm - 22.8gm
Diobol
Sv966

24mm - 11.4gm
Obol
Sv967

20mm - 5.7gm
Hemiobol
Sv968

16mm - 3.8gm
Tritartemorion
Sv969

15mm - 2.9gm
Dichalkon
Sv970

12mm - 1.45gm
Chalkous
Sv971

Ptolemy III
Tyre Club Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of 6 coins all with the well-known club mintmark in the left field on the reverse. These coins parallel the Alexandria series of CHI/RHO coins with cornucopia in the left field. Svoronos attributes these to Ptolemy II but the style and parallelism to the Ptolemy III CHI/RHO series seem to indicate Ptolemy III is more likely. Sizes and weights shown here are averages that are correct the types. Note that Svoronos 710 doesn't actually exist - it was erroneously 'created' by Svoronos as a type between 709 and 711 but there is no such thing. The few examples of Sv710 that have been recorded are Sv709 but at the lighter end of its weight range. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. As with the coinage from provincial mints by Ptolemy II, this series lacks leg monograms. These might be contemporaneous with either the scarce no-monogram cornucopia types of Alexandria or the CHI/RHO series or both. The CHI/RHO cornucopia coinage of Alexandria is a dominant and prodigious coinage as are most of these.

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv705

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv706

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv707

24mm - 11.4gm
Sv708

20mm - 5.7gm
Sv709

Svoronos mistakenly identified a coin type between 709 and 711. It doesn't actually exist.
18mm - 3.8gm
(Sv710)

16mm - 2.9gm
Sv711

Ptolemy III
Trident Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of 3 small coins one with Alexander in elephantskin obverse and two smaller pieces with an identical appearance, differing only in size/weight. The largest coin with Alexander in elephantskin headdress on the obverse is enigmatic and catalogued as a later issue in Svoronos (Svoronos 1063). Nevertheless its cornucopia at shoulder reverse is analogous to some small issues of Ptolemy III. It is extremely rare and its reignal attribution is subject to further analysis. 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.

20mm - 5.7gm
Sv1063
Hemiobol

15mm - 2.9gm
Sv839
Dichalkon

12mm - 1.5gm
Sv840
Chalkous

Ptolemy III
Joppa Mint Harpa Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of 4 small coins all with an identical appearance, differing only in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is accompanied by a closed wing eagle and a 'harpa' mintmark of Joppa (Jaffa) on the reverse. The largest size, ca. 11.4gm, is not shown here and is known from a single example, not catalogued in major references, ex. Don Doswell's collection sold at the Gemini Sale 2009. All are relatively scarce. Three sizes catalogued by Svoronos are 818 (ca. 5.5gm), 819 (ca. 2.8gm), and 820 (ca. 1.4gm).

16mm - 2.9gm
Sv819
Dichalkon

15mm - 1.5gm
Sv820
Chalkous

Ptolemy III - Royal Portrait Series 5
Weight Standard #2 -Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of only 4 coins, all with very similar appearance but differing in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is replaced with a portrait of Ptolemy III wearing the aegis and the reverse is the usual style of Ptolemy III wearing a closed-wing eagle and the cornucopia reignal symbol. These are found in the area of Corinth and likely minted locally for use by Ptolemaic settlements there at that time. The largest size (Svoronos 997) is about 17gm and not shown here. The middle size has two variants (Svoronos 998 and 999) which have the cornucopia on opposing sides of the eagle. Svoronos 998 and 999 (the two middle sized types with cornucopiaea on opposites sides) are shown here. The smallest size is about 6gm and also not shown here. The appearance of a contemporary Ptolemaic ruler's portrait on a bronze coin is unusual and may be unique to this series. These two are likely denominated as tritartemorion (six chalkoi) on the post-260BC weight standard. The largest size would seem to be a tri-hemiobol (ca. 17.2gm) and the smallest a hemiobol (ca 5.7gm).

28mm - 17.2gm
Sv997 (cornucopia at left)
Trihemiobol

23mm - 8.6gm
Sv998 (cornucopia at right)
Hexachalkon

23mm - 8.6gm
Sv999 (cornucopia at left)
Hexachalkon

20mm - 5.7gm
Sv1000 (cornucopia at right)
Hemiobol

Ptolemy III - Aphrodite Statue Series 5
'Post-Reform' Weight Standard #2 - ~ 1.44 grams per chalkous (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

This denomination series consists of 5 coins all with an identical appearance, differing only in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is accompanied by a 'cult statue of Aphrodite' on the reverse. An additional smaller size (about 11mm) is not shown here, representing perhaps a 1 chalkous denomination for this series.

30mm - 17.1gm
Sv1005
Trihemiobol

25mm - 11.4gm
Sv1006
Obol

20mm - 5.7gm
Sv1007
Hemiobol

17mm - 2.9gm
Sv1008
Dichalkon

15mm - 2gm
Sv1009
Chalkous

Ptolemy III-IV - Tripod Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series consists of coins all with similar appearance, differing only in size/weight. The largest coin is uncatalogued and somwhat (stylistically speaking) enigmatic. It is somewhat heavier and larger than Svoronos 791, and its reignal attribution is subject to further analysis, tentatively attributed here to Ptolemy IV on the basis of its reverse lettering style and rather different style, somewhat more crude, of the tripod. The two smaller coin types show the familiar Zeus Ammon obverse, accompanied by a closed wing eagle and a trident on the reverse, with clean sharp lettering and carefully executed tripod. These coins are attributed by Svoronos to Ake Ptolemais (Acre) but modern finds indicate they are most likely from the area near (modern) Bodrum in Turkey. See the Trident series, above. 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. Examples of Svoronos 791 are sometimes found with a single letter (A or B) countermark in a circular punch on the reverse, an 'A' example shown in the countermark section at the end of this presentation. Svoronos also catalogued as 792 a coin showing a Ptolemais mint mark (PI-T-O) to the right of the eagle, previously known from one example in the British Museum (not listed in any other reference book and not seen by Ashton at the Fethiye Museum). The PI-T-O may be the reason this series was ascribed to Ptolemais, but it appears only Svoronos 792 may really be from that area, perhaps an issue of Ptolemy V (note the unusual eagle style). Note also (see countermarked types, below) that some coins of other series are known with tripod countermarks which may indicate their validation for circulation in this region during a time when coins were either in short supply, not being minted at the time, or needed in larger sizes than minted locally.

26mm - 12-14gm
Sv 791 'a'
Crude style. Ptolemy IV-V?
Obol

24mm - 10-11.4gm
Sv791
Obol

20mm - 4.5gm
Sv792
PI-T-O mark at right
Trichalkon

18mm - 4.0gm
Sv793
Trichalkon

Ptolemy I - IV - Kyrene Ptolemy I Portrait Types
Weight Standards #1 and #2 - Drachm ~ 45.6 and 68.4 gram

The usual design motif is a portrait of Ptolemy I on the obverse and the head of Libya on the reverse, often with a branch or cornucopia near the neck. These likely include issues ranging over a lengthy period of time of different Ptolemaic kings. The several at far left are early Ptolemy I - II issues with unusual symbols (e.g. crab, prow) on the reverse. There follow others which Svoronos attributed to Ptolemy III (Svoronos 871, etc.) and which have a single cornucopia near Libya's chin.

18mm - 2.9gm
Dichalkon
Ptolemy I Portrait
Open wing eagle r w/complex monograms
Sv 70
Ptolemy I

18mm - 9.1gm
Obol
Ptolemy I Portrait
Open wing eagle and MU-GAMMA (Magas) monogram
Sv 327
Ptolemy II, Magas Ruling in Kyrene

17mm - 4.098gm
HemiObol
Ptolemy I Portrait
Open Wing eagle
Sv 328
Ptolemy I - II

17mm - 4.688gm
HemiObol
Ptolemy I Portrait
Ship prow on reverse
Sv 337
Ptolemy I

21mm - 8.1gm
Obol
Ptolemy I Portrait
Libya Head reverse
Double cornucopia at chin
Sv 855
Ptolemy III

18mm - 3.8gm
HemiObol
Ptolemy I Portrait
Libya Head reverse
Single cornucopia at chin
Sv 856
Ptolemy III

13mm - 1.9gm
Dichalkon
Ptolemy I Portrait
Libya Head reverse
Single cornucopia at chin
Sv 857
Ptolemy III

21mm - 7.6gm
Obol
Ptolemy I Portrait
Libya Head reverse
Single cornucopia at chin
Sv 871
Ptolemy III

18mm - 2.4gm
TriChalkon ?
Ptolemy I Portrait
Libya Head reverse
Single cornucopia behind Libya head
Sv 872
Ptolemy III

23mm - 7.6gm
Club behind shoulder
Double Cornucopia at chin
Sv 1268
(note overstruck on unidentified undertype) Ptolemy IV ?

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Cornucopia Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This denomination series differs from the previous series because of the limited coin size ranges. We have only the 'drachm' and 'hemidrachm', with two similar leg monogram types, from Alexandria (cornucopia to left of the eagle). LI = LAMDA IOTA. DI = DELTA IOTA.

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv1125 - DI
Drachm

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv1127 - DI
Hemidrachm

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv1126 - LI
Drachm

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv1128 - LI
Hemidrachm

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 'SIGMA' Control Types with Cornucopia Mintmark
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

This series has leg control/monogram variations of SIGMA, SIGMA EPSILON, or SIGMA IOTA EPSILON, in 5 sizes, from Alexandria. As in the earlier series (with DELTA IOTA and LAMDA IOTA) we find drachm and hemidrachm sizes, but there are also diobols, and rare hemiobols and dichalka. One very unusual large coin, shown here, has the SIGMA EPSILON monogram in retrograde, known in only two examples (the other in Weiser, Koeln). There are some other coin types of Ptolemy IV that also have these controls and monograms made at other mints (Tyre, Cyprus and Kyrene) - see below. And there's one more Alexandria Ptolemy IV bronze with these controls, a tetrobol, sometimes with a cornucopia countermark. It is part of an enigmatic group of Ptolemy IV Alexandria tetrobols which do not have any cornucopia mintmark. It is shown below with the other Alexandria tetrobols that have no mintmark. The later series (see below) has the tetraobols and diobols of similar types showing countermarks and some with different control symbols or none at all.

42mm - 68.4gm
Drachm
Sv992 - S/SE

42mm - 68.4gm
Drachm
Sv992 - S/SE
Two examples known with SE retrograde shown here (see Weiser).

36mm - 34.3gm
HemiDrachm
Sv993 - S/SE/SIE
Example known with SE retrograde (Weiser).

30mm - 22.8gm
Diobol
Sv1151 - S E control
Same as Sv994
Double cornucopiae at eagle's shoulder

18mm - 3.8gm
HemiObol
Not catalogued in Svoronos - S/SE

15mm - 2.9gm
DiChalkon
Not catalogued in Svoronos - S/SE

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 Tetrobols
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Ptolemy IV issued an unusual group of tetrobols at Alexandria which, unlike all of his other Alexandria coinage, lack cornucopia mintmarks. One type has the S/SE/SIE (SIGMA, SIGMA EPSILON, etc.) control that is familiar on Ptolemy IV coins of other mints (Alexandria, Cyprus, and Kyrene). Several others have unusual controls seen only on rare Ptolemy/Libya diobols issued at Kyrene (see next series below). These tetrobols were assigned to Kyrene by Svoronos because of their unusual controls shared only at Kyrene. Current research, however, ties all of these tetrobols to Alexandria. Svoronos also connected the S/SE/SIE monogram also of a Tyre coin with the club mintmark to Kyrene, since corrected in modern literature. One of these tetrobols, extremely rare, has no control letter at all. Interestingly, there are no tetrobols or small denominations of Ptolemy IV's DELTA IOTA and LAMDA IOTA coinage. Svoronos also mistakenly included a type he thought had a CHI/RHO monogram in the eagle's legs, misreading a SIGMA-IOTA-EPSILON monogram, but no such Ptolemy IV CHI/RHO tetrobol type exists. There's one more peculiarity related to these tetrobols; all are known to occur with cornucopia countermarks and those are shown separately in the section below with all other countermarked types.

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobols
Svxxxx - No control in eagle's legs
See countermarked variant of this same unmarked type below.

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1140 - (retrograde)RHO-PI-Y-E control

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1142 - PI-Y control in eagle's legs
w/cornucopia countermark inverted at right

38mm - 45.6gm
Tetrobol
Sv1148 - S E in eagle's legs
Note S E separate letters

Ptolemy IV - Kyrene Series 5 Diobols
Euhesperides Mint
Ptolemy/Libya Design with Apple Branch behind Libya Head
These four types have controls which parallel an enigmatic quartet of Ptolemy IV tetrobols issued at Alexandria (see immediately above), and which lack the otherwise ubiquitous cornucopia mintmark of Alexandria. Interestingly the SIGMA EPSILON control (monogram) connects those Alexandria tetrobols, these Kyrene-Euhesperides diobols, and some rare coins of Tyre and Cyprus all to Ptolemy IV. It may be the most geographically widespread of all the controls and monograms used on Ptolemaic bronze coins and helps date some of the coinages from different locations to the reign of Ptolemy IV. A large sample of these Kyrene diobols has mean weight of 15.5 grams, the diobol weight for Weight Standard #1 (see above). These weigh 1/3 of the Alexandria tetrobols with the same controls that reflect Weight Standard #2 and show the Kyrene retained Weight Standard #1 long after Alexandria and other mints had reformed the bronze coinage to a new weight standard of 50% higher weight (per drachm) after about 265 BC. Note also that the SE diobol of Alexandria's Series 5 is of Weight Standard #2 and so it weighs about 22.8 grams, about 50% more than Kyrene's SE issue seen here.

26mm - 17.6gm
Diobol
Svxxxx - No control below neck
Apple branch behind head
Double cornucopiae at chin

28mm - 15.8gm
Diobol
SV 1141 - (retrograde)RHO-PI-Y-E control below neck
Apple branch behind head
Double cornucopiae at chin

28mm - 15.0gm
Diobol
SV 1143 - PI/Y monogram below neck
Apple branch behind head
Double cornucopiae at chin

28mm - 15.4gm
Diobol
Sv1152 - S E control below neck
Apple branch behind head
Double cornucopiae at chin

Ptolemy IV - Tyre Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Only the drachm and hemidrachm, with two leg control symbol combinations, from Tyre (club to left of the eagle) are catalogued in Svoronos. One rare hemidrachm (uncatalogued) is also shown here with DELTA IOTA controls that also has an ivy leaf countermark on the club (one other specimen known). A hemidrachm with retrograde SIGMA EPSILON monogram is catalogued in Weiser (Koeln) - see the Alexandria drachm with retrograde SIGMA EPSILON above. Additional uncatalogued types have come to light in the three smaller denominations with SIGMA shown here and a few others listed here. The Ptolemy IV coinage of Tyre appears to encompass more control symbol types and sizes than were known until recently. LI = LAMDA IOTA. DI = DELTA IOTA. S=SIGMA. SE=SIGMA EPSILON.

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv1129 - LI or DI
The two control combinations are not distinguished in Svoronos.

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv1130 - LI or DI
The two control combinations are not distinguished in Svoronos.

24mm - 11.4gm
Sv??? - DI
Sv??? - S
Sv??? - SE
Types not catalogued in Svoronos. Double-size of Svoronos 1153.

18mm - 5.7gm
Svoronos 1153 - SE

15mm - 2.9gm
Sv??? - S
Type not catalogued in Svoronos. One-half of Svoronos 1153

Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy IV-V - Tyre Series 5 'Decorated Reverses'
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

These denomination series also have limited coin size ranges. There are actually three different series with different controls. We have only the 'hemidrachm' and smaller sizes, with two main leg monogram types for this unusual 'decorated' series. Tyre issues of these unusual 'decorated' reverse designs have PI, PI-T, PI-T-O, and AP (ALPHA RHO) monograms. This is an enigmatic series for which the basis of the highly decorated reverses is not known, though the combination of filetted cornucopiaea on the eagle's shoulders with a club (of Tyre) or other mintmark is seen on some coins of Ptolemy II. The PI control letter, exergal letters, and unusual decorations (caps of the dioscuri, stars, etc.) are echoed in some silver and gold issues that tie these most likely to Ptolemy V. A precise attribution for the others remains a topic of scholarly investigation. Those with PI-T and PI-T-O are attributed by some to Ptolemais but the use of mint designations in the usual position of control letters as well as the clear presence of the (presumably) Tyre club mark is good reason to question that, as is the existence of related precious metal coins bearing related control marks that are likely attributable to other Phoenician mints. We show these series together here because they unusual 'decorations' on the reverse and Tyre club seem to make them related to one another but the reignal attribution may indeed span Ptolemy IV and V. The production quality of some AP types (such as the hemidrachm shown here) is high enough, with carefully made very round flan with clean rounded edges as well as high artistic quality of its reverse, to suggest even production under Ptolemy III. Two coins shown here merit additional attention. The coin with caduceus countermark is apparently unique and the caduceus as a countermark is not on any other Ptolemaic coins we have seen nor mentioned in Noeske's paper on countermarks of Ptolemaic coins. The city location or other meaning of the caduceus countermark is unknown but that symbol is associated with certain Greek cities such as Tarsos, as is the club seen on some Tarsos coins. It is possible these are Asia Minor issues yet to be better understood. Parts of Cilicia were under Ptolemaic control for much of the 3rd C. BC and only taken by Antiochos III near its end. The coin with PI-T-O control with a size in between Svoronos 1058 and 1060, a 'half size' of Sv 1058, appeared to be a unique specimen as well (a second one only recently appeared in 2014). The AP control types are the most frequently seen, sometimes nicely made (as the example shown here) and other times crudely and of poor metal. The other types are all moderately to very scarce. Some larger coins of these types sometimes show striations under the Zeus figure which appear to be part of the die itself, possibly indicating a re-working or die breaks or wear. These may represent the last Ptolemaic bronze coinage of Tyre before it fell to Antiochos III during the reign of Ptolemy V, or perhaps some of them are from an Asia Minor location that fell to Seleukid control a bit earlier. One recent addition here is the uncatalogued type with the Kausia (hat) underneath the club, known from perhaps five specimens and not catalogued or illustrated in any reference books but there is one specimen in a museum collection. This one is a worn specimen, nevertheless clearly the same coin type as its brother which displays the kausia hat more clearly. The type is related to both the Svoronos 1059 and 1320 which share the same mintmark and PI control letter. A newly discovered type has appeared that bears no controls at all, adding more enigma to this series.

36mm - 34.3gm
Hemidrachm
Sv1251 - AP

18mm - 3.8gm
Trichalkon
Sv1252 - AP

16mm - 2gm
Chalkous
Sv1253 - AP

36mm - 34.3gm
Hemidrachm
Sv1058 - PI-T-O

28mm - 18gm
Svxxxx - PI-T-O
Uncatalogued type similar to 1/2 denomination of Sv1058.
Trihemiobol

20mm - 5.7gm
Hemiobol
Sv1060 - PI-T

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv1059 - PI
Hemidrachm
Unusual EP in exergue.

36mm - 34.3gm
Hemidrachm
Kausia (hat) under club
Uncatalogued - PI
? E in exergue.

28mm - 18gm
Trihemiobol
Sv1320 - PI
Unusual IE in exergue.

32mm - 22gm
Diobol
Uncatalogued
No Controls

Alexandria Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 1
Weight Standard #3 - Unit ~ 0.40 gm

NOTE (December 2023) - This long overdue revised presentation of the series issued at Alexandria during the 2nd C. BC is a better organization of these types in accord with hoard and metrology analyses. This presentation more closely adheres to the updated information and discussion of these types found in AJN 2021 Volume 33 pp. 57 - 119. I thank those who visit this page for their patience. Note also that the organization here is according the three apparent weight standards (#3, #4, and #5) that exemplify the bronze coinage system based on decimal values that prevailed after the end of the 3rd C. BC at Alexandria, though the older weight standards continued in use longer on Cyprus and in Cyrenaica. The decimal valued bronze coinage system that developed in 2nd C. Alexandria expresses weight standards that are completely different from their predecessors. Alexandria's new system has coins of relatively modest size (e.g. 22 grams coins depicting Zeus Ammon) with values of 100 or 120 'bronze drachmae' or 'units of account'. These are coins that would have been valued as a diobol in the preceding century's coinage system. The relationships between the new and old bronze weight and value systems are discussed at length in the AJN 2021 paper mentioned above. It is freely available online. Note also that the female goddess depicted on some of these coins is now named as 'Demeter/Isis'. The former reference to 'Isis' was misleading because these female depictions do not have the Isis headdress that does appear on a few Ptolemaic and Seleukid coins. These female goddess portraits clearly show a corn-wreath headdress which implies an identification as Demeter, rather than Isis. Much of the literature describes these goddess portraits as Isis so for clarity here I've compromised by using 'Demeter/Isis'.

The group in this section is best described as a 'Simplified Series 6', somewhat related to the complex and speculative multiple marked and unmarked sub-series of Faucher and Lorber's Series 6 in their AJN 2010 paper. This 'Simplified Series 6' is similar to Table 5 of the AJN 2021 paper by D. Wolf and is only of the unmarked types. The transition of bronze coins issued at Alexandria around the end of the 3rd C. BC to the beginning of the 2nd C. BC includes new types (Demeter/Isis, Bearded Heracles, etc.) and weights that do not appear related to the preceding Series 5. The transition to these new types of coins also was accompanied by a redefinition of bronze coin values in decimal quantities rather than the previous values of drachmae, obols, and so on. The simple equivalence between a large bronze coin and a silver drachm appears to have changed so that bronze coins had much lower values relative to silver after this time. This 'Simplified Series 6' expresses the idea of a first weight standard of these relatively heavy coin types with the largest Zeus Ammon coins around 39.2 grams corresponding to 100 'bronze drachmae of account' (100 Units here, 100 'BDA' in the Wolf 2021 paper, Table 5). There are recognizable variants of the Zeus Ammon and Demeter/Isis heaviest types but no convincing evidence tells us if they were minted together, at separate times, or should be separated as if they were different series (albeit on the same weight standard). There are three variations of the large Zeus Ammon coin type and two variants of the large Demeter/Isis type. Here they are shown together absent evidence that would persuasively segregate them differently. The denominations of Weight Standard #1 are proportional to mean weights: 100, 75, 50, 40, 20, and 10 units as shown here. Hazzard proposed instead that this scale is 80 units rather than 100 and it is possible to construct a series of relative denominations from 80 down to 5 units that is a possible alternative. These denominations are similar to Faucher and Lorber's Table 9 but with two here that better fit the metrological facts and proportionality of weight and value.

36mm - 40.7gm
Sv1423v1 - unmarked - Zeus with Large Ammon horn at top of head, two eagles
100 Units

36mm - 39.0gm
Sv1423v2 - unmarked - Zeus with Large Ammon horn at forehead, two eagles
100 Units

36mm - 38.5gm
Sv1423v3 - unmarked - Zeus with Normal Ammon Horn, two eagles
100 Units

32mm - 28.7gm
Sv1491 - Unmarked - Large Demeter/Isis with Small Head and graduated curls
75 Units

32mm - 30gm
Sv1233 - Unmarked - Large Demeter/Isis with Large Head and equal length curls
75 Units

30mm - 19.8gm
Sv1492 - Bearded Heracles
50 Units

28mm - 15.2gm
Sv1493 - Alexander wearing Elephantskin Headdress
40 Units

24mm - 7.57gm
Sv1154 - Demeter/Isis
20 Units
Speculative assignment to this series.

17mm - ~3.9gm
Sv1496 - Small Bearded Heracles
10 Units
Speculative assignment to this series.

17mm - ~3.9gm
Sv1155 - Small Helmeted Warrior
10 Units
Speculative assignment to this series.

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 2
Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

The largest Zeus Ammon coin value is 100 units. When closely examined, the identification of all Demeter/Isis coins in the Tell Nowa hoard as Sv 1234 is incorrect. This series's Demeter/Isis type is Sv 1234, mean weight ~ 17.1 grams. Sv 1234 and 1235 are different types, metrologically speaking (see AJN 2021, v. 33 pp. 57-119), but even the experts, Faucher and Lorber, incorrectly analyzed these types found mixed together in the Tell Nowa hoard. The Alexander-head third size here, Sv 1236, is the same coin type as Sv 1495. Svoronos mistakenly gave one type two catalog numbers (as occured several times in the Svoronos catalog, e.g. Sv 1151 = Sv 994). This series represents an analog of the 'heavy' Zeus/Demeter/Heracles/Alexander series with larger coins (see above).

28mm - 21.9gm
Sv1424b
100 Units

28mm - 17.1gm
Sv1234
80 Units

24mm - 11.7gm
Sv1494
50 Units

22mm - 8gm
Sv1236
(= Sv1495)
40 Units

18mm - 4.3gm
Sv1238
20 Units
Speculative assignment to this series.

Alexandria 2nd C. BC - Marked Series Class 1
K Control Symbol
Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

30mm - 20gm
Weiser 136 - OMICRON w/inscribed LAMDA (star at left)
100 Units
See countermark type below

30mm - 21.5gm
Sv1375 - K (star at left)
See countermark type below.
Sv ? - nm w/cmk (star at left)
See below.
100 Units

25mm - 10.6gm
Sv1376 - K
50 Units

22mm - 7.1gm
Sv1377 - K
30 Units

18mm - 4.8gm
Sv1378 - K
20 Units

16mm - 2.9gm
Sv1379 - K
15 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 3
Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units

This denomination series consists of 4 coins, again with a Zeus Ammon/two-eagle coin as the largest denomination weighing ~22.8 g, again alternating designs for successive smaller denominations. Increasing the value of the largest coin, Zeus Ammon with two-eagle reverse from 100 Units (see preceding Series) to 120 Units while retaining the denomination values as in the preceding series re-scales the relative weights of the smaller denominations and accounts for weight reductions of Demeter/Isis type Sv 1235 relative to Sv 1234 and lower weights in proportion to their values in the two closely-related 'marked' series (see above) with Pi/A mark on the reverse. This scaling of the value of the highest value coin obviates Faucher and Lorber's peculiar ad-hoc explanation of 'piecemeal weight reduction' for the slightly lower weights of the smaller denominations they scattered among several sub-series.

28mm - 21.9gm
Sv1424b
120 Units

25mm - 15.2gm
Sv1235
80 Units

21mm - 7.75gm
Sv1426
40 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 2
Pi/A Control
Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units
Obverse Inscriptions Naming Kleopatra II ca 168-163BC

This denomination series consists of three coins with the unusual obverse inscription of Kleopatra I (wife of Ptolemy V and mother of Ptolemy VI) ca. 180-176 BC or Kleopatra II, co-ruler with her brother Ptolemy VI, from 168-145BC. We have only three sizes with leg monogram or left-field monogram of PI ALPHA. Some have thought the obverse inscription must be of Kleopatra I when, as mother of the very young Ptolemy VI when he inherited the kingdom on the death of Ptolemy V, she was the regent or co-ruler during the earliest part of his reign (ca. 180 - 176BC). More recently, Lorber and Faucher suggested the inscription refers to Kleopatra II, during the period 160-145BC. Recently a unique coin has been discovered also with the unusual obverse inscriptions from Kyrene (shown immediately below these) which may well narrow the date to ca. 168-163BC.

30mm - 23.5gm
Sv1380 - PI-A
120 Units

22mm - 7.1gm
Sv1381 - PI-A
40 Units

18mm - 3.7gm
Sv1382 - PI-A
20 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 3
Pi/A Control
Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units
No Obverse Inscription

Similar to the the previous Marked Series Class 2, but with four sizes and lacking the obverse Kleopatra inscription of Class 2. Svoronos also catalogued a fifth size, a small Demeter/Isis type, as Sv 1387, for which I've checked carefully all available evidence and found it almost certainly does not exist; it is one of Svoronos's errors. Faucher and Lorber (AJN 2010) do include it, but they illustrated it with a known specimen of Sv 1238 (which doesn't have a PI/A monogram) from the BnF collection. Checking the available images of specimens that are supposedly 'Sv 1387' I found they are *all* examples of Sv 1238. The largest coin of this marked class has Zeus Ammon, then Demeter/Isis, Alexander in Lionskin, Alexander in Elephantskin, and a small Demeter/Isis coin. Only the largest, as before, has two eagles on the reverse. These coins have the same PI/A monogram as Class 2, in the same positions on the reverse. The PI'A is almost certainly a control symbol, not a mintmark. No hoard evidence clearly dates these coins exclusively to either before, during, or after the issue of Class 2. Hoards with specimens of Class 2 also have specimens of Class 3. If the Class 2 coins' obverse inscription refers to the period of 168 - 163 BC and pertains to the rule of Ptolemy VI, then the best dating for these may well be from some a bit earlier than 168 BC to some time after 163 BC. The medium Demeter/Isis type of Class 3 is one of the most common Ptolemaic bronze coins and is known from hoard which contain many specimens. The prodigious quantities of Class 3 Demeter/Isis coins known today contrasts with the other types of this class which are much less frequently seen.

30mm - 22.6gm
Sv1383 - PI-A
120 Units

28mm - 15.2gm
Sv1384 - PI-A
80 Units

24mm - 9.3gm
Sv1385 - PI-A
50 Units

22mm - 7.5gm
Sv1386 - PI-A
40 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 4
Dated Types of Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra III
Weight Standard #4 (restored) ? - Unit ~ 0.22 gram ?

This marked class is identifiable by the OMEGA/SIGMA to the left of the eagle on the reverse and either L GAMMA (year 3) or L DELTA (year 4) date to the right of the eagle, indicating the years 114 and 113 BC. Some of these also have a K or KP monogram (of unknown meaning) on the obverse behind the Zeus head. These constitute the range of Svoronos catalog numbers from 1191 - 1194. Svoronos catalogued them as Ptolemy IV (Cyprus) but a hoard found in Egypt and the contents of a shipwreck have these coins mixed with tetradrachms attributed to Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra III. Svoronos also included another Athena-head type, Sv 1195, in this group, though that type has no date, the eagle on the reverse oddly faces right, and only two specimens (in the Athens museum) are known - none from hoards associated with other coins of the 2nd C. BC. Faucher and Lorber called this 'Series 8' but, with on the basis of no evidence whatsoever, included Sv 1195 in their Series 6C but noted it could instead belong to any of the five sub-series of their Series 6. Their tables also mis-report the mean weight of the two specimens listed by Svoronos. Given our obvious ignorancee about the type, I have set Sv 1195 aside as one of the several types with no known Series relationships - see below. Alexandrian dated Ptolemaic bronze coins are represented only by these types spanning a mere two-year period. These coins of Ptolemy IX may represent a continuation, at Alexandria, of the practise of dating bronze coins begun by Ptolemy VIII on Cyprus (see below). This unusual two-coin series spanning only two years follows several series, both marked and unmarked, with Zeus Ammon and two eagles reverse and Demeter/Isis as the two largest denominations. It is not clear whether the bearded Heracles denomination here has the same relative value as coins with that design in the preceding series but its metrology is also similar to its predecessors. Strictly speaking, the weight standard of this 'series' is indeterminate given the current evidence. We may plausibly speculate, however, that the Heracles design type is 40 'bronze units' and the larger Zeus Ammon coins are 80 'bronze units'. If that is the case then this series represents a restoration of weight standard #4 after several series issued on weight standard #5. A third dated denomination of 5.5 grams implies its value on weight standard #4 is 25 units. The restoration of weight standard #4, however, is plausible given that weight standard #4 was indeed restored as evidenced by the tiny coins of Class 5 and the two Cleopatra VII portrait bronzes of Class 6 (see below).

27.1-28.4mm - 17.0gm - 11h
Zeus Ammon obverse with no discernible symbol behind head
Omega/Sigma at left, L/Delta at right - Year 4, 113BC
Sv 1193
80 Units

24.8-27.4mm - 15.5gm - 12h
Zeus Ammon obverse with KP behind head
Omega/Sigma at left, L/Delta at right - Year 4, 113BC
Sv 1193
80 Units

19.6-21.2mm - 9.2gm - 12h
Bearded Heracles obverse with K behind head, possibly off flan here
Omega/Sigma at left, L/Gamma at right - Year 3, 114BC
Sv 1191
40 Units

19mm - 5.51gm - 12h
Helmeted Athena obverse with K behind head, possibly off flan here
Omega/Sigma at left, L/Delta at right - Year 3, 114BC
Sv 1194
Photo courtesy of CNG
25 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 5
Weight Standard #4 Restored - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Two very small bronze coins about 10 - 12mm diameter make up what we know of this 'series' (it being only two types, one denomination) that is based on papyri referring to 5-drachma coins at a time when a bronze drachma had been reduced to a mere wisp of metal weighing a small fraction of one gram. The two types here both have Zeus Ammon obverses with a closed-wing eagle reverse and either K LAMDA (possibly referring to Kleopatra III or IV) or B A spanning the eagle. Faucher includes these in his Series 9, along with other unrelated types.

10-12mm - 1.1gm
Zeus Ammon / Closed-wing eagle with K LAMDA
Sv1732
5 Units
1/4 Chalkous silver equivalent

10-12mm - 1.1gm
Zeus Ammon / Closed-wing eagle with B A
Sv1733
5 Units
1/4 Chalkous silver equivalent

Alexandria 1st C. BC Marked Series Class 6
Cleopatra VII - ca. 50BC - 30BC
Weight Standard #4 Restored - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

The two bronze coins issued by Cleopatra VII at Alexandria play an important role in understanding the weight standards of 2nd - 1st C. Alexandrian Ptolemaic bronze coinage because these two coins, alone, are explicitly marked denominations of 80 (Pi) and 40 (M) units and their mintage time is known because they have her name and portrait there for all to see. They are also in a weight ratio of two to one which confirms the proportionality of bronze coin weight to value even to the very end of the Ptolemaic empire. The AJN metrology paper of 2021 makes a novel case that these two bronze coins had explicit silver equivalent values of two chalkoi and one chalkous, that this weight standard (Weight Standard #4, about 0.22 grams per unit) reflects approximately a 6-fold reduction in the silver-equivalent value of bronze coins compared to the 3rd C. BC period when the bronze drachm (68.4 gm) was equivalent to the silver drachm, or 48 chalkoi. In other words, in Cleopatra's time a silver-equivalent of one drachm in bronze had grown to about 410 grams. One chalkous, 1/48 of the drachm, is them about 8.6 grams, the weight of Cleopatra's 40-unit bronze coin (40 units of about 0.22 grams per unit).

27mm - 17.2gm
Cleopatra VII / Closed-wing eagle, Pi right
Sv1871
80 Bronze Units
Dichalkon (Silver equivalent)
Photo Courtesy of CNG

21mm - 8.6gm
Cleopatra VII / Closed-wing eagle, M right
Sv1872
40 Bronze Units
1 Chalkous (Silver equivalent)

Alexandria 2nd C. - 1st C. BC
Types with Unknown or Uncertain Series Membership

Note that some of the unmarked types (with no control symbols to positively link them into series) included in this group could belong to some of the series described above and Faucher and Lorber felt compelled to include most of them in their Series construction thought there is little to no evidence that these types belong to any of the series. In some cases their obverse types are similar to some of the marked-series members or there is one known specimen from a single hoard, but that gives us so little to go on that it is wise to suspend judgment. Acknowledging ignorance, these types are collected here and their association with various series may be better substantiated by evidence in the future; e.g. new hoards that include them.

26mm ~ 13.7gm
Sv1425
Zeus Ammon/Two Eagles
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

22mm - 6.2gm
Sv1173
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

22mm ~ 8.0gm
Price Necropolis Excavation Group F
Zeus/Open-wing eagle w/cornucopia
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

17mm ~ 3.7gm
Sv1427
Zeus Ammon/Two Eagles Unknown Denomination

24mm - 7.57gm
Demeter-Isis/Closed-wing eagle, head to right, with cornucopia at shoulder Sv1154
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

22mm - 6.35gm
Demeter-Isis/Open-wing eagle
Sv1237
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

18mm - 4.2gm
Demeter-Isis/Closed-wing eagle, head to right, with cornucopia at shoulder
Sv1238
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

17mm - 3.7gm
Bearded Heracles/Closed-wing eagle
Sv1496
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

17mm - 4.3gm
Sv1155
Helmeted Warrior/Closed-wing eagle w/cornucopia at shoulder
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

14mm -
2.2gm
Sv1156
Helmeted Warrior/Closed-wing eagle w/cornucopia to left
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

12mm ~ 1.9gm
Sv1195
Athena / Eagle facing right
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination
Image: Svoronos Plate XLIII #21

Cyprus Early 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy V - Corinthian Helmet Series
This denomination series consists of two large to medium coins with an identical appearance, differing only in size/weight. We see the familiar Zeus Ammon obverse with a closed-wing eagle reverse and a crested (corinthian?) helmet at left, the crest depicted in as an elaborate long hanging plume. The meaning of the helmet symbol, possibly a mint mark, is unknown. Similar helmets are seen on some much earlier and smaller coins of Ptolemy I, see above. Both sizes are relatively scarce. The absence of fully-feathered eagle legs suggests these eagle renderings precede Ptolemy VI. These Zeus heads strongly resemble those seen on specimens of Svoronos 1636-7 (which are also about 40 and 20 grams), which have lotus symbol mintmarks and similar 'bare-legged' eagles, and which Catharine Lorber attributed to the reign of Ptolemy V. While this helmet mintmark is different and unusual, the styles, sizes and flan similarities the Ptolemy V attribution is justifiable. The two 'pairs'seem quite closely related despite different symbols. One die link between them has been demonstrated.

38mm - 40gm
Sv1634

30mm - 20gm
Sv1635

Cyprus Early 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy V Lotus Symbol Series
This denomination series consists of two large to medium coins with similar appearance, differing only in size/weight. We see the familiar Zeus Ammon obverse with a closed-wing eagle reverse and a lotus flower symbol at left, and both sizes also display a 'scepter' through the closed-wing eagle. Both sizes are relatively scarce. The absence of fully-feathered eagle legs suggests these eagle renderings precede Ptolemy VI. These Zeus heads resemble those seen on specimens of Svoronos 1634-5 (also about 40 and 20 grams), with the unusual helmet symbol mintmarks and similar 'bare-legged' eagles, and which Catharine Lorber attributed to the reign of Ptolemy V. Note especially the resemblance of the specimen here of Sv 1637 to the Sv 1635, above. While this mintmark is different, the styles, sizes and flan similarities the Ptolemy V attribution is justifiable.

38mm - 40gm
Sv1636

30mm - 20gm
Sv1637

Cyprus 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy VI Lotus Blossom Series
This denomination series consists of eight coin sizes with single eagle reverse and lotus blossom to the left of the eagle. Specimens are marked with EYL or no control letters in the eagle's legs. Two medium size types have a sceptre or kerykeion through the eagle. We adopt the attribution of Svoronos 1403 (with no leg controls) as Ptolemy VI due to the style of the eagle rendering and its resemblance to the others here with long tufted feathers all the way down the eagle's legs. Weiser had placed this large coin at Ptolemy III but the style of both the Zeus facial rendering and eagle feathering argue against that. We also remove some Svoronos 1404 (also with no leg controls) to an earlier series (see above) that includes Svoronos 841, 842, and 843 based on the same stylistic considerations. Only careful visual inspection can distinguish Sv 1404 that are 2nd C. coins from the types we now associate with Ptolemy III. Sv 1405 does not exist; Svoronos erred creating that catalog entry for a single coin that is actually a specimen of Sv 1636. Some EYL types display a Seleukid anchor countermark and the apparent defacement of the name Ptolemaioy from the reverse. Others show only the defacement of the inscription with no countermark, and yet others appear to be the original intact design. Others have a PTO countermark, sometimes in addition to the anchor countermark. It is thought the defaced and/or anchor-countermarked examples are coins either captured by Antiochos IV during his invasion or made from captured dies and countermarked for circulation in the Seleukid empire. We show here some examples (e.g. Sv1401) with both the full inscription and obliterated PTOLEMAI version. That invasion occurred during the middle reign of Ptolemy VI, who was for a time a captive of Antiochos IV. Upon Antiochos IV departure it is thought he created his 'Egyptianized' series of bronzes that closely mirror these in sizes and style (see further below), but which were issued at Antioch as a celebration of his, at least temporary (until expelled by Roman allies of the Ptolemies) victory over Egypt. There is one additional enigmatic coin, Svoronos 1399, of comparable style but which lacks both the lotus blossom and control marks. We do not place it here because it has no lotus flower symbol.

45mm - 91.2gm
Sv1395 - EYL
Sv1403 - nm

38mm - 45.6gm
Sv1404 - nm

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv1396 - EYL
Sv1406 - nm

24mm - 14.7gm
Sv1397 - EYL
Sv1398 - EYL + cmk
Some with PTOLEMAI obliterated as shown here.

22mm - 11.4gm
Sv1401 - EYL (some w/cmk)

22mm - 11.4gm
Sv1401 - EYL (some w/cmk, PTOLEMAI obliterated)

20mm - 7.1gm
Sv1402 - EYL
Sv1407 - nm

14mm - 2.9gm
Sv1408 - nm

14mm-16mm - 2.1gm
Sv1408 (Sv 1639?) - nm

Ptolemy VIII Cyprus Dated Bronze Coins - Late 2nd C. BC
These coins go together on the basis of style and the unusual dates clearly shown next to the eagle. These are all a single denomination. Two are catalogued from Svoronos 1622 - 1632 with dates that all start with K or L, spanning years 26-41 (144BC - 129BC) of his reign. Some have additional symbols along with the date - lotus flower, petasos, etc. The first shown here (Svoronos 1624) has the petasos helmet symbol to the right of the eagle, lotus, and date. It isn't clear if this depiction of a petasos symbol is related to the same symbol seen on some later coin types (see even later Cyprus issues, below, with three sizes that have a petasos to the left of the eagle). The fourth coin shown here has a strangely different date, the L and Z are separated by a blank spot as if one symbol was omitted, filled in on the die, or perhaps that spot is simply due to a 'filled die' error (metal or material inadvertently filling that part of the die while it was in use). L Z would be 'year 7' and would either be much much earlier than the other coins of this series or it would be a 'year 7' during the reign of Ptolemy IX, not Ptolemy VIII. Perhaps the petasos symbol on one of the coins and this peculiar date imply that some production of dated coins with lotus flower mintmark was later than we have previously thought. Interestingly these coins also sometimes lack central depressions seen on almost all Ptolemaic bronze coins after 260BC. All are roughly the same size about 22-25mm, 8-10gm.

23.3-23.9mm - 12.5gm - 12h
LKH over lotus flower - Year 28, 142BC
With Petasos symbol at right
Sv 1624
Ptolemy VIII

21.9-22.2mm - 8.9gm - 12h
LKH over lotus flower - Year 28, 142BC
Sv 1626
Ptolemy VIII
Other Dates Include:
LKC = Sv 1621 = Year 26 = 144BC
LKZ = Sv 1622 = Year 27 = 143BC
LKH = Sv 1623 - 1625 = Year 28 = 142BC
LKTheta = Sv 1626 = Year 29 = 141BC
LLamda = Sv 1627 = Year 30 = 140BC
LLamdaGamma = Sv 1628 = Year 33 = 137BC
LLamdaDelta = Sv 1629 = Year 34 = 136BC
LLamdaEpsilon = Sv 1630 = Year 35 = 135BC
LLamdaC = Sv 1631 = Year 36 = 134BC
LMA = Sv 1632 = Year 41 = 129BC

21.8-23.2mm - 9.4gm - 12h
L LAMDA GAMMA over lotus flower - Year 33, 137BC
Sv 1628
Ptolemy VIII

21.8-23.2mm - 9.4gm - 12h
L (space) Z over lotus flower - Year 7 ?
Not Catalogued
Ptolemy VIII (Possibly Ptolemy IX)

Cyprus Late 2nd - Early 1st C. BC
Issues with Unusual Symbols
These coins seem to belong together on the basis of style, often 'knife-edge' fabric, and the profusion of symbols next to the eagles on the reverse. A convergence of evidence links these types with a wide variety of unusual symbols to the time of Ptolemy IX - X, who competed and fought one another for rule of Egypt and Cyprus and during whose reigns a wide variety of similar symbols appeared on tetradrachms during a short time period. The exact meaning of the symbols is not known and, unlike many other Ptolemaic coin issues, they do not appear to indicate mintmarks because they are quite varied (thunderbolt, aphlaston, caduceus, petasos, etc.). Some are not catalogued in Svoronos or other reference books and reignal attributions are likely of Ptolemy IX, X, and XI.

36mm - 25.5gm
Thunderbolt at left
Sv1694

30mm - 20.7gm
Petasos at left
Sv1696

24mm - 7.0gm
Petasos at left
Not in Svoronos - Cox 119
Also in Paphos II (Nicolau 1990)

14mm - 1.6gm
Petasos at left
Uncatalogued

30mm - 13.5gm
Cornucopia at left
Weiser 179 (15gm)
Size/weight between Sv1697 and Sv1698
Weiser lists his 179 as Sv1697

22mm - 6gm
Cornucopia at left
Svoronos 1698

20mm - 6.8gm
Small Aphlaston at left
Sv 1703

30mm - 14.5gm
No control at left
Sv1712

24mm - 7.4gm
No control at left
Sv1713

14mm - 1.9gm
No control at left
Sv1715

30mm - 12.8gm
Palm branch at left
Uncatalogued

24mm - 7.5gm
Star (no letter) at left
Svoronos 1242a (in the
2nd volume's appendix)

24mm - 7.5gm
Star over D at left
Sv 1706

24mm - 7.5gm
Star over T at left
Sv 1711

24mm - 7.5gm
Large Aphlaston at left
Sv 1813

24mm - 6.8gm
Cornucopia at left
Sv 1814

22mm - 5.5gm
Isis Headdress at left
Sv 1842

26mm - 7.0gm
Palm Branch through eagle
KPR monogram right
Sv 1875

30mm - 12.7gm
Zeus Ammon with star
near forehead
Two eagles with scepter
through 'front' eagle
Sv 1876
NOTE: Svoronos did not
notice the star but the
specimen cited has one
Also this is the same type
as Cox (Curium) 118

15mm - 2.5gm
Denomination?
Reverse with one closed-wing eagle with scepter across eagle.
Unpublished and uncatalogued
Unique, known from only this specimen
Appears to be smaller denomination related to
Sv 1876 which also has scepter on reverse

30mm - 18.2gm
Caduceus at left
Uncatalogued

Ptolemy IV - IX Kyrene
Attribution of these coins varies. They include the unique jugate heads obverse type (Sv 1137) and unusual controls that appear to be shared, such as THETA E, that includes one coin naming Euergetes II but two of similar controls without that epithet, and a few other types of uncertain regnal attribution. Likewise, Sv 1268 with the club at Ptolemy I's shoulder would seem to be earlier style, perhaps from the time of Ptolemy IV or V. The example here is overstruck. Asolati has recently included the exceedingly rare and enigmatic Svoronos 1387a (from the Svoronos addendum, Glasgow/Hunterian Page 388, #7, also SNG Cop 243) in his enumeration of coins of Kyrene.

26mm - 13.5gm
Jugate Heads
Ptolemy I Portrait with cornucopia behind head
Sv 1137
Ptolemy IV ?

23mm - 7.6gm
Club behind shoulder
Double Cornucopia at chin
Sv 1268
(note overstruck on unidentified undertype) Ptolemy IV ?

27mm - 12.39gm
THETA - E Control Letters under neck
Sv 1657
Ptolemy VIII ?

15mm - 2.4gm
Demeter/Isis
Eagle facingleft
Sv 1387a (Macdonald p. 388 #7, SNG Cop 243)
Asolati attributed to Kyrene.
SNG Cop 243

18mm - 3.8gm
?Cornucopia at chin
THETA - E Control Letters under neck
Sv 1658
Ptolemy VIII ?

19mm - 4.5gm
Zeus Ammon
Double Cornucopia with letters at each side
Sv 1718
Ptolemy IX?

18mm - 3.8gm
Unknown symbol under neck truncation (~ I w/ dot on top)
Sv 1725
Hemiobol?
Ptolemy IX?

17mm - 2.9gm
Double cornucopia at chin
Uncatalogued

12mm - 0.95gm
Ptolemy I Portrait
Libya Head reverse
Single cornucopia at chin
Crude make - Sv ?
Chalkous
Ptolemy IX?

Ptolemy VI - Kyrene
Kleopatra II ca 168-163BC)
This unique Ptolemy/Libya coin type from Kyrene is recently discovered. In addition to the the usual inscription on the Libya head reverse, this coin also has an inscription naming the queen on the obverse. It would seem to be directly related to the Alexandria issues (immediately above) that name the queen (Kleopatra) and from the same time period, perhaps both groups now best dated between 168 and 163 BC.

18mm - 3.1gm
Hemiobol ?
Unique and Uncatalogued

Ptolemy VIII Kyrene - Naming Ptolemy Euergetes II
These coins are unusual in that several types actually have the epithet name of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II on the reverse as part of the usual Basileos Ptolemaioy inscription. They depart from the earlier series that look similar over a long period of time and have the Ptolemy I portrait with Libya on the reverse. These have Zeus Ammon and an eagle, usually open-winged. Some have the eagle facing to the right which is not seen on other Ptolemaic coin types. Shown here are just a few representative medium and smaller size examples. There are some other types in this series that include very large coins up to 90 grams; unusual types with one or two cornucopiae on the reverse with no eagle, reminiscent of some earlier types of large gold coins. We see a mix of control letters on the bronzes with PHI, KAPPA and 'none' in the fields but not in the eagle's legs. There are also some types with letters in the fields that appear to spell out THEOS. It's an unusual mix and Buttrey's excavation reports put most of these uniquivocally at Kyrene though some types are listed by Morkholm (SNG Copenhagen) from other locations. Open wing eagles of this series have a characteristic stereotyped 'high shoulder' on the opened wing.

45mm - 65.6gm
Zeus Ammon
One or Two Cornucopia
PHI in left field.
Sv 1640

41mm - 39.4gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing right
PHI in right field.
Sv 1641

31mm - 20.9gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing right
K in right field.
Sv 1649

27mm - 10.7gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing left
PHI in left field.
Sv 1642

27mm - 10.8gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing right
PHI in right field.
Sv 1643

24mm - 10.3gm
Zeus Ammon
Closed-wing eagle
facing left
with head turned
PHI in left field.
Sv 1644

21mm - 4.21gm
THETA - E Control Letters at left
Sv 1651
Naming Euergetes II
Ptolemy VIII

30mm - 18.0gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing right
No control
Sv 1653

27mm - 10.7gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing left
No control
Sv 1654

15mm - 2.04gm
Zeus Ammon
Open-wing eagle facing left
No control in left or right field.
Sv 1655

21mm - 7gm
Zeus Ammon
Two eagles facing left
Silphium plant in left field.
Sv 1158
Ptolemy IX?

Antiochos IV - Post-Conquest Egyptianized Series of Antioch
This denomination series consists of four coins with single eagle reverse and no control letters in the eagle's legs, with the eagle facing right and the reignal name of Antiochos Theos Epiphanes. The time period follows the departure from Egypt by Antiochos IV in about 168BC following his brief conquest and reign with Ptolemy VI at Memphis. These coins are listed in Svoronos but they are Seleukid coins issued by Antiochos IV at Antioch following the failure to consolidate the Egyptian conquest. Some believe the coins' issue may have preceded the invasion of Egypt. The Zeus figure on the largest type is not the usual Egyptian Zeus Ammon of large 3rd C. BC bronzes, rather Zeus laureate. The second size has (Zeus) Serapis with a laurel wreath and Isis headdress ornament at the top of the head. That type is not known on any Egyptian issue. The Isis portrait type is closest to a contemporary Egyptian design. The smallest coin has a traditionally Seleukid idealized radiate portrait seen on many other bronze issues of Antiochos IV. The other unusual feature on all of these is that the single closed-wing standing eagle faces right rather than the almost ubiquitously left-facing corresponding type on actual Ptolemaic bronzes.

44mm - 72gm
Sv1415 - nm

36mm - 36gm
Sv1416 - nm

28mm - 18gm
Sv1417 - nm

22mm - 9gm
Sv1418 - nm

Uncatalogued, Unattributed, Unpublished Types
The coins illustrated here are not a specific series, but represent a variety of coins from different series or no known series. These are coins which are uncatalogued, unpublished or unknown - coins which are not found in major museum collections, etc. Some are unique or known from only a few specimens in private hands. They aren't presented here in any particular order except, perhaps, as close to chronologic or other relatedness that seems appropriate. Some are just new monograms, controls, or combinations of them. Others are previously unknown sizes/denominations for types that are known in larger or smaller sizes. Others are simply unprecedented discoveries of types that were hitherto unexpected and unknown. A few of these are illustrated elsewhere on this page if it's easy to fit them into 'series' of related types, but many here haven't been shown previously on this page because they don't easily fit existing coinage structures. Exact Svoronos numbers are not given, as there are none, but some descriptions refer to similar types.

12mm - 0.95gm
Series 1 Chalkous
Long-hair Alexander with Ammon horn
LAMDA E monogram at left of eagle
Unique chalkous with long-hair Alexander
Ptolemy I

17mm - 4.75gm
Series 2 Hemiobol?
Svoronos 351 variant (?)
Unusual portrait and monograms
Veiled Arsinoe (?)
Open-wing eagle with LAMDA IOTA over ZETA/E monogram at left
One of two known, possibly from a mint in Asia Minor
See Savoca Auction 5 Lot 600 24FEB2018
Ptolemy II

21mm - 5.99gm
Series 2 Obol
PI/A Monogram inside Omega
Likely unique
Similar to Sv 186, etc.
Ptolemy II

22mm ~ 8.0gm
Price Necropolis Excavation Group F
Zeus/Open-wing eagle w/cornucopia
Unknown Series
Unknown Denomination

21mm - 8.03gm
Series 2 Obol ?
Laureate Zeus and open-wing eagle reverse with no other symbols
Unique. Possibly related to Sv 761, Sv 762 ?
Ptolemy II

21mm - 7.83gm
Series 2 Obol ?
Double cornucopiae at left of eagle
Unique. Possibly related to Sv 761, Sv 762 ?
Ptolemy II

28mm - 14.9gm
Series 2 Diobol
S/Shield/SL at left,trident countermark, odd LAMDA K combination monogram in eagle's legs.
Unique. Related to Sv 554, Sv 564
Ptolemy II

19mm - 4.5gm
Series 5 Hemiobol
No control symbol in the eagle's legs
Unpublished
Similar to Sv 968 with double cornucopiae at right shoulder (Sv 968 has CHI-RHO control symbol), but no control.
Appears to be small denomination related to Sv 1002, 1003, etc.
Ptolemy III

20mm - 5.75gm
Series 5 Hemiobol
SIGMA or SIGMA EPSILON symbol in the eagle's legs
Unpublished
Similar to Sv 968 with single cornucopiae at right shoulder (Sv 968 has CHI-RHO control symbol), but S or SE control.
Appears to be small denomination related to Sv 992, 993, 994, etc.
Ptolemy IV

15mm - 3 gm
Series 5 Dichalkon
SIGMA or SIGMA EPSILON symbol in the eagle's legs
Unpublished
Similar to Sv 970 with single cornucopiae at left, but S / SE control (Sv 970 has CHI-RHO control).
Appears to be small denomination related to Sv 992, 993, 994, etc.
Ptolemy IV

27mm - 14gm
Obol?
NI control in eagle's legs
Unpublished and uncatalogued
Similar to known Ptolemy V 'military mint' tetradrachms with NI control.
Unique, known from only this single specimen
Ptolemy V

15mm - 2.5gm
Denomination?
Reverse with one closed-wing eagle with scepter across eagle.
Unpublished and uncatalogued
Unique, known from only this specimen
Appears to be 'small size' related to
Sv 1876 which also has scepter on reverse

30mm - 19.8gm
Drachm ?
Uncatalogued, described in Lorber and Faucher AJN 2010
Alexandria - some have cornucopia countermark on/near the star, like this
Related to Sv 1375 but with encircled LAMDA control instead of KAPPA
Unclear worn specimens with this control symbol have been noted and
described differently in Weiser, etc. but the symbol is clearly visible here.
Ptolemy V - VIII ?

Countermarked Types
The coins illustrated here are not a specific series, but represent a variety of coins from different series illustrated above and which display countermarks of a similarly great variety. The paper by Noeske discusses some of the countermark types. Full attribution of the each specific countermark type awaits additional research. We do find coins from a many mint locations that are countermarked and many are relatively common (the large incuse trident-stamp on early bronze diobols, for example). Some are quite rare and their existence may add to our understanding of the circulation of Ptolemaic bronzes throughout the empire and neighboring states. The first group shows coins that all have cornucopia countermarks which seem to span the reigns of Ptolemy III through Ptolemy V only. The second group shows various other countermarks from Ptolemy II through Ptolemy VI including incuse trident, tripod, A letter, and Seleukid anchor.

Cornucopia Countermarks - Ptolemy III - V

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv966
Chi-Rho Series
Ptolemy III

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv993
S or SE
Ptolemy IV

38mm - 45.6gm
Sv1149
S/SE Series
Ptolemy IV

38mm - 45.6gm
Sv1142 - PI/Y
Ptolemy IV

38mm - 45.6gm
Uncatalogued - NM
Ptolemy IV

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv994 = Sv1151
S/SE Series
Ptolemy IV

30mm - 20gm
Uncatalogued, cf. Sv1375v - no control (star at left)
Ptolemy V

30mm - 22.8gm
Uncatalogued, cf. Sv1375v - OMICRON w/inscribed LAMDA (star at left, w/cornucopia countermark)
Ptolemy V

30mm - 20gm
Sv1375 - K (star at left w/ cornucopia countermark)
Ptolemy V

Other Countermarks (Incuse Trident, Letters, Advancing Nike) - Ptolemy II - III

18mm - 5.9gm
Sv351
Unusual specimen with E(B) countermark on obverse, possible obverse inscription (BERENIK..?), and unusual die axis of 8h.

17mm - 3.5gm
Sv386
Possibly unique specimen with advancing Nike countermark on obverse of veiled Arsinoe type, within oval punch. The Nike figure is rotated about 100 degrees clockwise relative to the portrait.

28mm - 15.2gm
Sv553
Numerous early diobols are sometimes found with this same incuse trident stamp on the reverse.
Ptolemy II Early Diobol

28mm - 15.2gm
Sv557
Numerous early diobols are sometimes found with this same incuse trident stamp on the reverse.
Ptolemy II Early Diobol

28mm - 15.2gm
Sv564v (monogram)
Numerous early diobols are sometimes found with this same incuse trident stamp on the reverse.
Ptolemy II Early Diobol

24mm - 11.4gm
Sv791 w/A in round punch
Ptolemy III Tripod Series

15mm - 1.9gm
Sv839 w/A in round punch
Ptolemy III Trident Series
Among the smallest countermarked Ptolemaic bronze

15mm - 1.9gm
Sv839 w/B in rectangular punch
Ptolemy III Trident Series
Among the smallest countermarked Ptolemaic bronze

Ivy Leaf, Caduceus, & Anchor Countermarks - Ptolemy III - VI

20mm - 5.2gm
Sv929 -
Ptolemy III Portrait
Club countermark
Griffin and ABDERITON Reverse
Ptolemy III Thracian Mint

30mm - 22.8gm
Sv707 -
Tripod countermark at right.
Ptolemy III Tyre Club Series

42mm - 68.4gm
Sv1129 - LI or DI
The two control combinations are not distinguished in Svoronos.
Tripod countermark at right.
Ptolemy IV Tyre

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv1130 - LI or DI
The two control combinations are not distinguished in Svoronos.
Ivy-leaf countermark on the club shown here.
Ptolemy IV Tyre

36mm - 34.3gm
Sv1058 - PI-T-O
This specimen (unique) with caduceus countermark at right.
Ptolemy V Tyre

24mm - 14.7gm
Sv1397 - EYL
Sv1398 - EYL + cmk
Some with PTOLEMAIOY obliterated as shown here.
Ptolemy VI

Visit the PtolemAE Project Home Page

Your educational and informational center for Ptolemaic Bronze Coins.

Thank you for visiting the Ancient Collection Ptolemaic Kingdom Denomination Series Page.
Come back soon ...

Ptolemy I - Aphrodite Portrait Issues ca. 310 - 305 BC Cyprus Mint - Weight Standard #1 This series consists of three denominations of obol, hemiobol, and chalkous, all with Aphrodite portraits on the obverse. Some have control symbols on the reverse and may have partial legends or legends with the royal name at right. They conform to the weight standard of Series I - II with an obol mean weight of 7.6 grams and chalkous of about 0.95 grams. These are among the earliest bronzes bearing the name of Ptolemy.
19mm - 7.6gm Obol Sv74 Aphrodite wearing Polos Closed-wing eagle left PTOLEMAIOY at right No control symbols With controls at left: Star - Sv75 'TK' - Sv76 H - Sv77 Wreath - Sv78	16mm - 3.8gm Hemiobol Sv79 B119 Aphrodite wearing Stephane Open-wing eagle left Partial legend: PTO at left No control symbols	16mm - 3.8gm Hemiobol Sv80 B123 Aphrodite wearing Stephane Open-wing eagle left Wreath control symbol at left Plain taenia headdress: Sv81 B120	10mm - 0.95gm Chalkous Svxx B125 Aphrodite wearing Polos Closed-wing eagle left Partial legend: PTO at right Wreath control symbol at left Uncatalogued - cf Sv82 No wreath: Sv82 B121

Ptolemy I - II Macedonian Mint Weight Standard #1 The Ptolemaic empire's provincial coinage included issues of a Macedonian mint under its control. The Ptolemy Keraunos types here were formerly attributed to 'Paroreia' and the S. Psoma discovered these types (two denominations, see the Metrology study in 2013 ANS) are Macedonian and associated with Ptolemaic rule. They conform to the Ptolemaic bronze weight standard #1 for obols and hemiobols, also known for other mints.
23mm - 7.6gm B155 Ptolemy Keraunos, ca. 280BC Laureate Zeus NK control at left Obol, Pre-Reform Weight Standard #1	20mm - 3.8gm B160 Ptolemy Keraunos, ca. 280BC Laureate Zeus Theta control at left Hemiobol, Pre-Reform Weight Standard #1

Ptolemy II - Sicily Mint ca. 266-264 BC Post-reform, Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram) The Sicilian Ptolemaic bronzes are two 1/4 drachm (~17.1 grams) types, both with Laureate Zeus portrait on obverse and open-wing eagle on reverse along with a Galatian shield to the left of the eagle. No control letters, monograms, or other symbols. Type 1 has a circle of dots around the reverse border and Type 2 has a solid circle border. Type 1 is clearly a Ptolemaic issue, evidenced by the dotted reverse border, fixed 12h die axes, and portrait styles that resemble other Zeus portrait types from Alexandria and other mints after the weight standard reform (so-called 'Alexandrian' style). Weiser (1995) called these 'Alexandrian Style' but ignored important measurable physical properties (borders, die axes, and their 17.1 grams weight which is only sensible relative to the reformed 68.4 gram drachm weight of the second weight standard) that tell us that 'Alexandrian' portrait styles is the least . Certainly Type 1 are Ptolemaic coins issued by a Ptolemaic mint. The mint is assigned to Sicily for several reasons: 1. because hundreds of them have been found on Sicily, a few in southern Italy, but none in Egypt. 2. their 1/4 drachm weight is the same as Hieron II's portrait/horseman bronze litra coins that circulated with them 3. they are a single unique denomination issued only on Sicily during this time period The detailed story about these coins is in the 2022 paper 'Siclian Ptolemaic Bronzes and the Coinage of Hieron II' (2022). Type 2 (with the solid circle reverse border) is included here as a Ptolemaic mint issue because it is so similar to Type 1, with the same mean weight, fixed 12h die axes, and style of Zeus portraits. Type 2 coins are not as commonly found as Type 1 and we do not yet know why the Ptolemaic mint carved solid borders on the dies for some coins other than that the solid border is nearly universally found on other Sicilian bronze coins.
28mm - 17.1gm Sv610 B289 - shield with no control symbols Type 1 - Dotted reverse border Fixed 12h Die Axes Egyptian Style Portrait Ptolemaic Mint on Sicily Ptolemaic Weight/Value: 1/4 Post-reform Drachm Sicilian Value: 1 Litra	28mm - 17.1gm Sv610 B290 - shield no control symbols Type 2 - Solid reverse border Fixed 12h Die Axes Egyptian Style Portrait Ptolemaic Mint on Sicily Ptolemaic Weight/Value: 1/4 Post-reform Drachm Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

Hieron II Imitations of Sicilian Ptolemaic Bronzes Sicilian Bronze Litrae - ca. 266-260BC Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 = Sicilian Litra Standard ~17.1 grams
These are four types, separately tabulated below, that resemble the Sicilian Ptolemaic bronzes in weight, general design, and having the same reverse inscription as the two types of Sicilian Ptolemaic bronzes described above. They have physical and stylistic properties that easily allow us to see they are not actually Ptolemaic coins: 1. all four types have variable die axes, not the Ptolemaic standard fixed 12h die axes 2. all of their portrait styles are obviously dissimilar to Ptolemaic bronze coins made during this time period on Sicily and at other Ptolemaic mints. 3. three of the four types have subsidiary control letters or monograms that are linked to those of Hieron II's portrait/horseman bronzes. 4. these types have solid circle reverse borders, with only one notable exception
Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 1 No Control Symbols The Type 1 imitative issues of Hieron II have no control symbols on the reverse, just the shield to the left of the eagle. The Zeus portrait style is obviously different from Ptolemaic coins, moreover, all the known specimens of Type 1 are issues of a single obverse die. They also have variable die axes. The lack of control symbols might indicate they are a 'transitional' type as Hieron began to make coins intended to resemble, and be interchangeable with, the Ptolemaic ones. Note also the reverse eagle style is recognizably diffrent from the two Ptolemaic types described above. In the first paper (NC, 2011) analyzing these Sicilian coins, Lorber and Wolf called these 'Svoronos 610A' and Svoronos would have included these, technically, with Svoronos 610 as they lack controls on the reverse but deeper analysis shows they are clearly a different type than Svoronos 610. Lorber sensibly distinguished them as B290.
28mm - 17.1gm CPE B290 - no control symbols Imitative Type 1 Solid reverse border Random Die Axes Sicilian Portrait - Unique Obverse Die Imitating Ptolemaic Type B289 Sicilian Mint of Hieron II Sicilian Value: 1 Litra
Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 2 Control or monogram above or below the shield The Type 2 imitative issues of Hieron II have control symbols on the reverse, below or above the shield. The Zeus portrait style is obviously 'non-Ptolemaic' and they have variable die axes and solid circle reverse borders. There are four varieties of Type 2, with controls N or PHI below the shield, and the monogram NK either above or below the shield.
28mm - 17.1gm Sv612 CPE B292 - NK below shield Solid reverse border Variable Die Axes Imitating Ptolemaic Type 2 Sicilian Mint of Hieron II Sicilian Value: 1 Litra	28mm - 17.1gm Sv624 B293 - PHI below shield Solid reverse border Random Die Axes Sicilian Portrait Group A Imitating Ptolemaic Type Sicilian Mint of Hieron II Sicilian Value: 1 Litra	28mm - 17.1gm Sv620 B294 - N below shield Solid reverse border Random Die Axes Sicilian Portrait Group A Imitating Ptolemaic Type Sicilian Mint of Hieron II Sicilian Value: 1 Litra

Ptolemy II Alexandria Post-Reform (after ca. 265BC) Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of at least 7 coin sizes. There are numerous leg monograms (Theta, Lamda, Iota, Rho, Delta, etc.) in this series so various nice examples are presented here from the PtolemAE collection (one size substituted by a comparable style issue of Tyre - see below). Svoronos catalog numbers are numerous and not all sizes are known in all monogram varieties. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. Monograms are abbreviated in English below (nm=NONE, A=ALPHA, B=BETA, D=DELTA, E=EPSILON, I=IOTA, Th=THETA, L=LAMDA, P=RHO, T=TAU, Y=UPSILON, O=OMICRON, X=CHI, W=OMEGA). Some examples show a combination UPSILON/TAU (Y with a cross mark) monogram. When viewing the Tyre, Sidon, and Ptolemais series below note that the main design types largely match the Alexandria series which makes these all fit together into a picture of one coherent coinage. The provincial mint series do not have any leg monograms but all show the typical mintmark indications of their locations.
42mm - 68.4gm Drachm Sv413 - nm Sv422 - A Sv431 - B Sv437 - D Sv447 - E Sv457 - I Sv463 - Th Sv464 - Th/ME Sv479 - L Sv497 - P Sv504 - T Sv504 - Y/T Sv514 - X	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv414 - nm Sv448 - E Sv480 - L Sv505 - T or Y/T Sv509 - Y Sv515 - X	30mm - 22.8gm Diobol Sv415 - nm Sv423 - A Sv438 - D Sv449 - E Sv465 - Th(O) Sv466 - ME/Th Sv481 - L Sv498 - P Sv506 - T or Y/T Sv510 - Y Sv516 - X	24mm - 11.4gm Obol Sv424 - A Sv439 - D Sv450 - E Sv467 - Th Sv482 - L Sv493 - O Sv499 - P Sv507 - T Sv511 - Y Sv519 - Omega	20mm - 7.6gm Tri Hemiobol Sv416 - nm Sv425 - A Sv440 - D Sv451 - E Sv468 - T Sv473 - I Sv483 - L Sv493 - O Sv500 - P	18mm - 5.7gm Hemiobol Sv417 - nm Sv441 - D Sv452 - E Sv469 - Th Sv473 - I Sv484 - L Sv501 - P	15mm - 2.9gm Dichalkon Sv418 - nm Sv431 - B Sv442 - D Sv453 - E Sv470 - Th(O) Sv474 - I Sv485 - L Sv493 - O

Ptolemy II Sidon(?) Double Cornucopia - Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of at least 5 coins with double cornucopiae as the prominent feature of the reverse that distinguishes these from the parallel Alexandria series. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. Svoronos associated these types with Sidon though modern analyses suggest the actual mint remains unknown.
42mm - 68.4gm Sv758 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder Drachm	38mm - 45.6gm Sv759 - Double Cornucopia in left field Tetrobol	30mm - 22.8gm Sv760 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder Diobol	24mm - 11.4gm Sv763 - Double Cornucopia in left field. This type may actually be Ptolemy I or belong to an issue without center depressions prior to about 265BC Obol	24mm - 11.4gm Sv761 - Double Cornucopia in left field Obol	20mm - 5.7gm Sv762 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder Hemiobol	17mm - 3.8gm Sv??? - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder. Uncatalogued type - uncertain if it belongs to this series or a later issue of Ptolemy IV or V. Appears to be a member of this series.

Ptolemy II Tyre Double Cornucopia/Club Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of at least 5 coins with double cornucopiae as the prominent feature of the reverse that distinguishes these from the parallel Alexandria series. In addition this series features a club in the left field to distinguish them from the Sidon series coins. Svoronos attributed these to Gaza but the typical club feature of other Ptolemaic Tyre coins and find locations in and around Lebanon seems to indicate they are from the major Ptolemaic mint in Tyre. Sizes and weights shown here are the ' nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. Svoronos also catalogued (Sv837) a type of ~20mm and about 7.6 gm with double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and club in left field. It is likely that Sv837 type does not really exist and the specimen so catalogued and illustrad by Svoronos (from Milan) is simply a slightly large specimen of Svoronos 838 - which shares identical design elements. No other specimen of Svoronos 837 has been observed.
42mm - 68.4gm Sv834 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder, club in left field Drachm	38mm - 45.6gm Sv835 - Double Cornucopia and club in left field Tetrobol	30mm - 22.8gm SvXXX - Double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and club in left field - not catalogued in Svoronos or any other reference. Six known specimens. Diobol	24mm - 11.4gm Sv836 - Double cornucopia and club in left field Obol	16mm - 5.7gm Sv838 - Cornucopia on eagle shoulder and club in left field Hemiobol

Ptolemy II Ake Ptolemais Double Cornucopia/Circled-PI-TAU Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of only 3 coin types with double cornucopiae as the prominent feature of the reverse that distinguishes these from the parallel Alexandria series and unifies them with Tyre and Sidon (see above). In addition this series features a CIRCLE-PI-TAU monogram in the left field identifying them as originating from Ake Ptolemais. In contrast to the related denomination series from Sidon and Tyre, only these 3 sizes and weight denominations are known. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. The last coin shown has a somewhat different style and might reflect an issue of a later reign, possibly Ptolemy V.
42mm - 68.4gm Sv788 - Double Cornucopia on eagle shoulder with CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field Drachm	38mm - 45.6gm Sv789 - Double Cornucopia and CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field Tetrobol	30mm - 22.8gm Sv790 - Double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field Diobol	30mm - 18gm? Sv790v - Double cornucopia on eagle shoulder and CIRCLE-PI-TAU in left field Diobol

Ptolemy I - II - DELTA IOTA /AI Series This denomination series consists of several types which may reflect issues over more than one reign. The coins are enigmatic singly and when considered together, with the DELTA IOTA in common but some also showing a 'palm branch' or a star in combination with the letter pair. Their origin is uncertain but likely a Phoenician mint. The two largest coins depicting laureate Zeus are consistent with early Ptolemy I or II diobols, slightly light, but the smallest types may have central depressions indicating a later mintage (after ca. 265BC). Stylistically all are compatible with Ptolemy II but the smaller pieces could be issues as late as Ptolemy IV. The smallest denomination appears to be a depiction of Arsinoe, veiled, but which Arsinoe (I, II, or III) is unclear. Whether the DELTA IOTA letter pair on these coins is related to the same pair found as control letters in the eagle legs on coins of Ptolemy IV is also not known. Those lacking central depressions appear to be 'pre-reform' (pre- 265BC) and the DELTA IOTA may be related to that letter pair seen on early Ptolemaic tetradrachms of Ptolemy I, especially for the first three presented here. The two smallest specimens here appear to show LAMDA IOTA, though it could well be these are simply slightly unclear versions of the DELTA IOTA. One might even interpret the letters on some specimens as ALPHA IOTA. The two coins with DELTA IOTA over palm branch are clearly related and in the same sense as we see on other early Ptolemy I-II diobol/obol relationships. All are rare. There is a very unusual additional specimen of these types, Sv 351, shown below in the countermark section because it has a unique large EB (or BE) countermark on the obverse and might be a re-marking of this type as a Berenike coin. It is unique and a truly enigmatic variation in that it not only has the unusual and very clear countermark but also has a die axis of 8h. If these are indeed pre-reform types then their values are multiples of a chalkous weight of 0.95 grams. Post-reform values are multiples of a chalkous weight of about 1.44 grams.
30mm - 11.4gm Sv341 - DELTA IOTA at left	30mm - 15gm Sv381 - DELTA IOTA over a palm branch at left	21mm - 8gm Sv382 - DELTA IOTA over a palm branch at left	23mm - 8gm Sv384 - DELTA IOTA (LAMDA IOTA?) over star over PI-Y at left	17mm - 2.9gm Sv386 - AI over * over PI-A (monogram) at left	18mm - 3.8gm Sv351 - AI over X (or XA monogram) at left	17mm - 4.8gm Not in Svoronos - AI over IE monogram at left

Ptolemy II - III - Proto-Natabaean Overstrikes Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This group is not, strictly speaking, a particular denomination series of one ruler. They demonstrate that early Nabataean coinage seems to have relied on re-striking existing circulating Ptolemaic coins, particularly those of Ptolemy II and III, to serve as flans. These coins are fairly scarce and the overstriking (of a type sometimes attributed to Aretas II, Athena obverse over standing Nike reverse) almost always obliterates the undertype to a degree that makes the undertype not specifically identifiable. In very rare cases we can be absolutely certain about the undertype and can see that they are (usually small) coins of Ptolemy II and III. It appears there are also coins of Ptolemy IV that have been used but are not shown here. These very interesting types tell us that Nabataean coinage appears to have started no earlier than about 200BC but perhaps earlier than is clear from the (presumably later) types that are not overstruck. The types of Ptolemy II shown here (at left) are most likely either Svoronos 417 (Zeus / open-wing eagle) and possibly others with control letters no longer visible. The coins at right are likely (and some clearly identifiable) types of Ptolemy III. Two coins show the typical cornucopia at the left of the eagle and with one coin displaying the CHI-RHO. One appears to have the harpa mintmark of Joppa mint, one of the Phoenician mints that issued Ptolemaic bronze coins in mid 3rd C. BC. The coins shown here are oriented to show the Ptolemaic coin undertype. Interestingly, some of the coins are struck in a 'reverse sense' (obverse Nabataean type on reverse of Ptolemaic type) and others are 'normal sense' overstrikes. An important reference paper on these overstruck Ptolemaic coins is "The Earliest Nabataean Coinage" by Rachel Barkay in Numismatic Chronicle (2011), with images of more related coins and a classification system for them.
22mm - 7.6gm Likely Sv 416 - Open wing eagle reverse, Ptolemy II	19mm - 3.8gm Likely Sv 417 - Open wing eagle reverse, Ptolemy II	16mm - 3.8gm Sv??? - Closed wing eagle reverse, possibly Ptolemy III	18mm - 2.9gm Sv??? - Closed-wing eagle reverse, possibly Ptolemy III	18mm - 3.8gm Sv969 - CHI-RHO monogram	15mm - 2.9gm Sv970 - CHI-RHO monogram	17mm - 2.47gm Sv819 - Harpa mintmark (Joppa)

Ptolemy II - Ptolemy III - Ptolemy IV Queen Portraits Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram These coins are not all from one 'denomination series', but they are sensibly grouped here to show the 3rd C. BC depictions of Ptolemaic Queen portraits on smaller bronze coins. Two coins (left) are fairly early Asia Minor issues depicting Arsinoe, one during the occupation of Northern Thrace and another during the brief period that Ephesos was renamed 'Arsinoeia'. Another group of four types follows with portraits of Berenike, likely issued at Ras Ibn Hani (Syria) during its occupation by either Ptolemy II or III. These coins are all not all that well-understood and they are unusual for Ptolemaic bronzes in that they have an obverse inscription naming the Queen. Note that some have the PTOLEMAIOY written in the opposite direction usually seen on Ptolemaic bronzes. They all lack the central depressions which might imply they all precede 260BC, however the Berenike portrait coins could be from the time of the 3rd Syrian war, from 246-241BC. One Berenike portrait coin (2nd from far right) may help date these as it is a very unusual overstrike on a bronze of Antiochos II (undertype is clearly visible and identifiable as SC572 on the reverse if you rotate it 90% counterclockwise - Apollo seated leaning with left elbow on a kithara and even the BASILEOS inscription of the undertype is clearly struck). This remarkable coin is much more clear than the only other known example (see Catharine Lorber's paper on the bronze Berenike coins of Ras Ibn Hani which has photos of the other known piece). This remarkable overstrike is even the more interesting because it has two different countermarks on the reverse, a cornucopia (upside down near the lower edge) and either a trident head or PTO monogram countermark similar to that seen on rare specimens of Sv 1006 (Ptolemy III 'Aphrodite Statue Reverse type). The coin furthest to the right is a common coin of Ptolemy IV, likely depicting either the goddess, Aphrodite, or perhaps Arsinoe III. There are actually two varieties, possibly both from Cyprus, one with double cornucopia on the reverse and one with single cornucopia (Sv 1160 and 1161).
12mm - 1.6gm Sv387	17mm - 2.8gm Sv883	21mm - 8.2gm Sv1055 NOTE - Normal PTOLEMAIOY orientation	21mm - 7.6gm Sv1055 NOTE - Reversed PTOLEMAIOY orientation	18mm - 3.9gm Sv1056v - no EY NOTE - Reversed PTOLEMAIOY orientation	16mm - 4.6gm Sv1056 - with EY NOTE - Reversed PTOLEMAIOY orientation	18mm - 4.6gm Sv1056 (ovestruck on Seleucid bronze, SC 572, Antiochos II) NOTE - The Ptolemaic reverse is also doubly countermarked: cornucopia within an oval punch and PI-T-O monogram in round punch. Undertype best seen rotated -90deg.	16mm - 2.7gm Sv1160-1161

Ptolemy III Alexandria EPSILON or LAMDA or 'Plain' Series 4 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of at least 7 coins that comprise a denomination series for which most sizes exist as both EPSILON and LAMDA monogram types. The two largest sizes are also known in 'no monogram' types. The E monogram types are also well known to exist in some variations with closed loops at the top of the E and similar morphologies. The 2nd size E monogram (Sv974 and variants of the E morphology) coins are very plentiful, among the most common types of Ptolemaic bronzes. The third size is a denomination only recently discovered through metrological analysis - a 20-chalkous (2.5 obol) coin. The data are quite conclusive on this; the coins average about 28.5 grams, far less than the 'expected' weight of 34.2 grams were they actually hemidrachms, as they have been previously catalogued in all reference works. Here are shown a mix of both of the most prevalent monograms (E and LAMDA) to illustrate the full denomination series. Lorber has attributed these coins to the early part of the reign of Ptolemy III while some other references differ. Sizes and weights shown here are the 'nominal ideal' for the types. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. In the following tabular presentation, the following indicate monogram types: E = EPSILON, L = LAMDA, nm = NONE.
48mm - 91.2gm Octobol Sv412 - nm Sv446 - E(and var) Sv478 - L Sv482 - THETA Sv502 - S (existence doubtful) A - known but not in Svoronos	40mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1172 - nm Sv1166 - L Sv974 - E(var) A - known but not in Svoronos C - known but not in Svoronos	34mm - 28.5gm Eikosachalkon (20) Sv1167 - L SV974a - E A - SNG Cop 222 nm - known but not in Svoronos	30mm - 22.8gm Diobol Sv1168 - L	28mm - 16gm Trihemiobol Sv1169 - L Sv975 - E(var) C - known but not in Svoronos	24mm - 11.4gm Obol Sv1170 - L Sv976 - E(var) C - known but not in Svoronos	20mm - 5.7gm Hemiobol Sv1171 - L

Ptolemy III - Early Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of 5 coins all with very similar design, differing only in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is a ccompanied by closed-wing eagle on the reverse with the lotus blossom in the same position where we see a cornucopia or club on some other series. The very close similarity of the style and fabric led to including these together, though the Svoronos cataloging and other references may differ in reignal attribution. The style and fabric compare with other types attributed to Ptolemy III and the design elements are rendered so similarly that they are best interpreted as a denomination series. Catharine Lorber's 'Lotus of Aphrodite' paper was the first to recognize these are a coherent group of 3rd C. BC issues. The largest coins of this group are sometimes easily confused with ones of equal size, but quite different style, associated with the reign of Ptolemy VI (Svoronos 1403, 1404, ...). The largest was actually not known to Svoronos though it is sometimes conflated with Svoronos 1403. The second is likewise sometimes included with Svoronos 1404 (Ptolemy VI), and the smaller ones as Ptolemy II (841-843). Seen as the coherent group, we recognize the largest coin as an octobol that is similar in size/weight to others of Ptolemy III (e.g. Svoronos 412, 446, above), the second a tetrobol, etc., in a size/weight progression associated with Series 4 as seen above.
45mm - 91.2gm Octobol Sv - uncatalogued	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1404	28mm - 16gm Trihemiobol Sv841	22mm - 6gm Hemiobol Sv842	17mm - 4gm Fraction Sv843

Ptolemy IV - Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4 With Controls Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of coins all with very similar design, similar to the preceding, but with the control symbols seen on Ptolemy IV bronzes of other mints. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is accompanied by closed-wing eagle on the reverse with the lotus blossom in the same position at left. Controls include LAMDA IOTA, SIGMA, and SIGMA EPSILON (sometimes ligate as a monogram). As with issues of other mints, DELTA IOTA controls are also found (albeit not known to Svoronos). Svoronos cataloged these along with 1403 as issues of Ptolemy VI, not having seen all the types nor associating the style and fabric similarities to 3rd C. Series 4 coins and controls shared with coins of Ptolemy IV. The style and fabric and controls associate these with the preceding 'no control' group of Lotus Flower Series 4 types (above), a smaller series composed only of the two largest denominations (octobol and tetrobol).
45mm - 91.2gm Octobol Sv 1409 - LAMDA IOTA	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1411 - LAMDA IOTA DELTA IOTA shown here	45mm - 91.2gm Octobol Sv 1412- SIGMA	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1413 - SIGMA	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1414 - SIGMA EPSILON

Ptolemy III Alexandria Cornucopia with (No Control) Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of 8 coins all with no monogram that appear to be the earliest mintage of Series 5, later followed by the very large issue with the CHI/RHO monogram in the eagles' legs (see below) that includes more denominations. Most references agree that the attribution of all of these coins is to the mid or later part of the reign of Ptolemy III. Actual sizes and weights vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. We show here only the denominations that are known with 'no monogram' - most of which are very rare or exceedingly rare. Interestingly, the obol size is not known to exist. Some of the smaller sizes aren't in Svoronos but have now been catalogued in Catharine Lorber's CPE. The hemiobol and trichalkon denominations shown here may actually be just a range of weights of one denomination. Or this pair of denominations that are very difficult to distinguish visually may show us why the subsequent series, with CHI/RHO, have a couple of the smaller denominations re-designed with the Alexander in elephantskin obverse insead of Zeus Ammon - including the trichalkon. Note also that the closely related Tyre series simply has no denominations corresponding to the CHI/RHO 'Alexander' sizes, which tends to support the notion that early experience with small sizes in this series (no monograms) led to some re-thinking about how to make small denominations that could be told apart (CHI/RHO series) or just leaving out the ones that are hard to tell apart (Tyre series).
42mm - 68.4gm Drachm Sv1002 Eight specimens known	36mm - 34.2gm Hemidrachm Sv1003 Fourteen specimens known	30mm - 22.8gm Diobol Sv1004 Two specimens known	19mm - 5.8gm Hemiobol Svxxxx One specimen known	17mm - 3.4gm Trichalkon Svxxxx Two specimens known

Ptolemy III Alexandria Cornucopia with CHI/RHO Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This series consists of eight denominations, perhaps the most of any single Ptolemaic bronze coinage series, all with the well-known CHI/RHO (XP) leg monogram. Most references agree that the attribution of all of these coins is to the mid or later part of the reign of Ptolemy III, shortly after the small initial issue of types with the same designs with 'no monogram' (see above). Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. These types, especially the largest drachm and hemidrachm, are very popular and sought after because the Ptolemaic mint's manufacturing quality and artistic beauty reached their peaks with of these issues. They were also made in very large quantitites and are sometimes found in large hoards (hundreds) so they can be obtained by collectors in very good quality. The larger coins of the Tyre and 'no monogram' related series, however, are scarce or exceedingly rare, though the artistic style and manufacturing quality are simlilarly excellent.
42mm - 68.4gm Drachm Sv964	36mm - 34.2gm Hemidrachm Sv965	30mm - 22.8gm Diobol Sv966	24mm - 11.4gm Obol Sv967	20mm - 5.7gm Hemiobol Sv968	16mm - 3.8gm Tritartemorion Sv969	15mm - 2.9gm Dichalkon Sv970	12mm - 1.45gm Chalkous Sv971

Ptolemy III Tyre Club Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of 6 coins all with the well-known club mintmark in the left field on the reverse. These coins parallel the Alexandria series of CHI/RHO coins with cornucopia in the left field. Svoronos attributes these to Ptolemy II but the style and parallelism to the Ptolemy III CHI/RHO series seem to indicate Ptolemy III is more likely. Sizes and weights shown here are averages that are correct the types. Note that Svoronos 710 doesn't actually exist - it was erroneously 'created' by Svoronos as a type between 709 and 711 but there is no such thing. The few examples of Sv710 that have been recorded are Sv709 but at the lighter end of its weight range. Actual sizes and weights may vary somewhat due to the striking and manufacturing technology at the time. The idea here is to present the coins as a coherent series. You may also view these same coins with detailed information about each one elsewhere on the PtolemAE Project web site. As with the coinage from provincial mints by Ptolemy II, this series lacks leg monograms. These might be contemporaneous with either the scarce no-monogram cornucopia types of Alexandria or the CHI/RHO series or both. The CHI/RHO cornucopia coinage of Alexandria is a dominant and prodigious coinage as are most of these.
42mm - 68.4gm Sv705	36mm - 34.3gm Sv706	30mm - 22.8gm Sv707	24mm - 11.4gm Sv708	20mm - 5.7gm Sv709	Svoronos mistakenly identified a coin type between 709 and 711. It doesn't actually exist. 18mm - 3.8gm (Sv710)	16mm - 2.9gm Sv711

Ptolemy III Trident Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of 3 small coins one with Alexander in elephantskin obverse and two smaller pieces with an identical appearance, differing only in size/weight. The largest coin with Alexander in elephantskin headdress on the obverse is enigmatic and catalogued as a later issue in Svoronos (Svoronos 1063). Nevertheless its cornucopia at shoulder reverse is analogous to some small issues of Ptolemy III. It is extremely rare and its reignal attribution is subject to further analysis. 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.
20mm - 5.7gm Sv1063 Hemiobol	15mm - 2.9gm Sv839 Dichalkon	12mm - 1.5gm Sv840 Chalkous

Ptolemy III - Royal Portrait Series 5 Weight Standard #2 -Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of only 4 coins, all with very similar appearance but differing in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is replaced with a portrait of Ptolemy III wearing the aegis and the reverse is the usual style of Ptolemy III wearing a closed-wing eagle and the cornucopia reignal symbol. These are found in the area of Corinth and likely minted locally for use by Ptolemaic settlements there at that time. The largest size (Svoronos 997) is about 17gm and not shown here. The middle size has two variants (Svoronos 998 and 999) which have the cornucopia on opposing sides of the eagle. Svoronos 998 and 999 (the two middle sized types with cornucopiaea on opposites sides) are shown here. The smallest size is about 6gm and also not shown here. The appearance of a contemporary Ptolemaic ruler's portrait on a bronze coin is unusual and may be unique to this series. These two are likely denominated as tritartemorion (six chalkoi) on the post-260BC weight standard. The largest size would seem to be a tri-hemiobol (ca. 17.2gm) and the smallest a hemiobol (ca 5.7gm).
28mm - 17.2gm Sv997 (cornucopia at left) Trihemiobol	23mm - 8.6gm Sv998 (cornucopia at right) Hexachalkon	23mm - 8.6gm Sv999 (cornucopia at left) Hexachalkon	20mm - 5.7gm Sv1000 (cornucopia at right) Hemiobol

Ptolemy III - Aphrodite Statue Series 5 'Post-Reform' Weight Standard #2 - ~ 1.44 grams per chalkous (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram) This denomination series consists of 5 coins all with an identical appearance, differing only in size/weight. The familiar Zeus Ammon obverse is accompanied by a 'cult statue of Aphrodite' on the reverse. An additional smaller size (about 11mm) is not shown here, representing perhaps a 1 chalkous denomination for this series.
30mm - 17.1gm Sv1005 Trihemiobol	25mm - 11.4gm Sv1006 Obol	20mm - 5.7gm Sv1007 Hemiobol	17mm - 2.9gm Sv1008 Dichalkon	15mm - 2gm Sv1009 Chalkous

Welcome to the Ptolemaic Bronze Coin Denomination Series Page

Part I - Bronze Coinage from ca. 305 to 266 BC: Alexandria, Cyprus, Tyre, and Thracian Mints. Issued during the reign of Ptolemy I and part of the reign of Ptolemy II. Ptolemaic Bronze Weight Standard #1 (average weights given here)

Ptolemy I-II - Alexandria, Tyre, and Other Mints - Series I-II ca. 290-266BC, Weight Standard #1

Ptolemy I - Aphrodite Portrait Issues ca. 310 - 305 BC Cyprus Mint - Weight Standard #1

Ptolemy I - II Macedonian Mint Weight Standard #1

Part II - Bronze Coinage from ca. 266 - 205 BC: Alexandria, Cyprus, Sicily, Tyre, Cyrene and several undetermined mmints. Issued during the later part of the reign of Ptolemy II and then Ptolemy III and Ptolemy IV. Ptolemaic Bronze Weight Standard #2 (average weights given here)

Ptolemy II - Sicily Mint ca. 266-264 BC Post-reform, Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Hieron II Imitations of Sicilian Ptolemaic Bronzes Sicilian Bronze Litrae - ca. 266-260BC Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 = Sicilian Litra Standard ~17.1 grams

Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 1 No Control Symbols

Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 2 Control or monogram above or below the shield

Ptolemy II Alexandria Post-Reform (after ca. 265BC) Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II Sidon(?) Double Cornucopia - Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II Tyre Double Cornucopia/Club Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II Ake Ptolemais Double Cornucopia/Circled-PI-TAU Series 3 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy I - II - DELTA IOTA /AI Series

Ptolemy II - III - Proto-Natabaean Overstrikes Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II - Ptolemy III - Ptolemy IV Queen Portraits Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III Alexandria EPSILON or LAMDA or 'Plain' Series 4 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III - Early Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4 With Controls Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III Alexandria Cornucopia with (No Control) Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III Alexandria Cornucopia with CHI/RHO Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III Tyre Club Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III Trident Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III Joppa Mint Harpa Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III - Royal Portrait Series 5 Weight Standard #2 -Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III - Aphrodite Statue Series 5 'Post-Reform' Weight Standard #2 - ~ 1.44 grams per chalkous (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Ptolemy III-IV - Tripod Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy I - IV - Kyrene Ptolemy I Portrait Types Weight Standards #1 and #2 - Drachm ~ 45.6 and 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Cornucopia Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 'SIGMA' Control Types with Cornucopia Mintmark Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 Tetrobols Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Ptolemy IV - Kyrene Series 5 DiobolsEuhesperides Mint Ptolemy/Libya Design with Apple Branch behind Libya Head

Ptolemy IV - Tyre Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC Ptolemy IV-V - Tyre Series 5 'Decorated Reverses' Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Alexandria Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 1 Weight Standard #3 - Unit ~ 0.40 gm

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 2 Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC - Marked Series Class 1 K Control Symbol Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram Largest Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 3 Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 2 Pi/A Control Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units Obverse Inscriptions Naming Kleopatra II ca 168-163BC

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 3 Pi/A Control Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units No Obverse Inscription

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 4 Dated Types of Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra III Weight Standard #4 (restored) ? - Unit ~ 0.22 gram ?

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 5 Weight Standard #4 Restored - Unit ~ 0.22 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 1st C. BC Marked Series Class 6 Cleopatra VII - ca. 50BC - 30BC Weight Standard #4 Restored - Unit ~ 0.22 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. - 1st C. BC Types with Unknown or Uncertain Series Membership

Cyprus Early 2nd C. BC Ptolemy V - Corinthian Helmet Series

Cyprus Early 2nd C. BC Ptolemy V Lotus Symbol Series

Cyprus 2nd C. BC Ptolemy VI Lotus Blossom Series

Ptolemy VIII Cyprus Dated Bronze Coins - Late 2nd C. BC

Cyprus Late 2nd - Early 1st C. BC Issues with Unusual Symbols

Ptolemy IV - IX Kyrene

Ptolemy VI - Kyrene Kleopatra II ca 168-163BC)

Ptolemy VIII Kyrene - Naming Ptolemy Euergetes II

Antiochos IV - Post-Conquest Egyptianized Series of Antioch

Uncatalogued, Unattributed, Unpublished Types

Countermarked Types

Cornucopia Countermarks - Ptolemy III - V

Other Countermarks (Incuse Trident, Letters, Advancing Nike) - Ptolemy II - III

Ivy Leaf, Caduceus, & Anchor Countermarks - Ptolemy III - VI

Visit the PtolemAE Project Home Page

Your educational and informational center for Ptolemaic Bronze Coins.

Thank you for visiting the Ancient Collection Ptolemaic Kingdom Denomination Series Page.

Part I - Bronze Coinage from ca. 305 to 266 BC: Alexandria, Cyprus, Tyre, and Thracian Mints.
Issued during the reign of Ptolemy I and part of the reign of Ptolemy II.
Ptolemaic Bronze Weight Standard #1 (average weights given here)

Ptolemy I-II - Alexandria, Tyre, and Other Mints - Series I-II
ca. 290-266BC, Weight Standard #1

Ptolemy I - Aphrodite Portrait Issues ca. 310 - 305 BC
Cyprus Mint - Weight Standard #1

Ptolemy I - II Macedonian Mint
Weight Standard #1

Part II - Bronze Coinage from ca. 266 - 205 BC: Alexandria, Cyprus, Sicily, Tyre, Cyrene and several undetermined mmints.
Issued during the later part of the reign of Ptolemy II and then Ptolemy III and Ptolemy IV.
Ptolemaic Bronze Weight Standard #2 (average weights given here)

Ptolemy II - Sicily Mint ca. 266-264 BC
Post-reform, Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Hieron II Imitations of Sicilian Ptolemaic Bronzes
Sicilian Bronze Litrae - ca. 266-260BC
Ptolemaic Weight Standard #2 = Sicilian Litra Standard ~17.1 grams

Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 1
No Control Symbols

Hieron II Imitation Ptolemaic Type 2
Control or monogram above or below the shield

Ptolemy II
Alexandria Post-Reform (after ca. 265BC) Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II
Sidon(?) Double Cornucopia - Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II
Tyre Double Cornucopia/Club Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II
Ake Ptolemais Double Cornucopia/Circled-PI-TAU Series 3
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II - III - Proto-Natabaean Overstrikes
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy II - Ptolemy III - Ptolemy IV Queen Portraits
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III
Alexandria EPSILON or LAMDA or 'Plain' Series 4 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III - Early Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Post-Reform Lotus Blossom Series 4 With Controls
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III
Alexandria Cornucopia with (No Control) Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III
Alexandria Cornucopia with CHI/RHO Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III
Tyre Club Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III
Trident Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III
Joppa Mint Harpa Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III - Royal Portrait Series 5
Weight Standard #2 -Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy III - Aphrodite Statue Series 5
'Post-Reform' Weight Standard #2 - ~ 1.44 grams per chalkous (Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Ptolemy III-IV - Tripod Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy I - IV - Kyrene Ptolemy I Portrait Types
Weight Standards #1 and #2 - Drachm ~ 45.6 and 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Cornucopia Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 'SIGMA' Control Types with Cornucopia Mintmark
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 Tetrobols
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Ptolemy IV - Kyrene Series 5 Diobols
Euhesperides Mint
Ptolemy/Libya Design with Apple Branch behind Libya Head

Ptolemy IV - Tyre Series 5
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram)

Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy IV-V - Tyre Series 5 'Decorated Reverses'
Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram

Alexandria Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 1
Weight Standard #3 - Unit ~ 0.40 gm

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 2
Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC - Marked Series Class 1
K Control Symbol
Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 3
Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 2
Pi/A Control
Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units
Obverse Inscriptions Naming Kleopatra II ca 168-163BC

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 3
Pi/A Control
Weight Standard #5 - Unit ~ 0.18 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 120 Units
No Obverse Inscription

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 4
Dated Types of Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra III
Weight Standard #4 (restored) ? - Unit ~ 0.22 gram ?

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Marked Series Class 5
Weight Standard #4 Restored - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 1st C. BC Marked Series Class 6
Cleopatra VII - ca. 50BC - 30BC
Weight Standard #4 Restored - Unit ~ 0.22 gram
Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units

Alexandria 2nd C. - 1st C. BC
Types with Unknown or Uncertain Series Membership

Cyprus Early 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy V - Corinthian Helmet Series

Cyprus Early 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy V Lotus Symbol Series

Cyprus 2nd C. BC
Ptolemy VI Lotus Blossom Series

Cyprus Late 2nd - Early 1st C. BC
Issues with Unusual Symbols

Ptolemy VI - Kyrene
Kleopatra II ca 168-163BC)

Ptolemy III-IV - Tripod Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series consists of coins all with similar appearance, differing only in size/weight. The largest coin is uncatalogued and somwhat (stylistically speaking) enigmatic. It is somewhat heavier and larger than Svoronos 791, and its reignal attribution is subject to further analysis, tentatively attributed here to Ptolemy IV on the basis of its reverse lettering style and rather different style, somewhat more crude, of the tripod. The two smaller coin types show the familiar Zeus Ammon obverse, accompanied by a closed wing eagle and a trident on the reverse, with clean sharp lettering and carefully executed tripod. These coins are attributed by Svoronos to Ake Ptolemais (Acre) but modern finds indicate they are most likely from the area near (modern) Bodrum in Turkey. See the Trident series, above. 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. Examples of Svoronos 791 are sometimes found with a single letter (A or B) countermark in a circular punch on the reverse, an 'A' example shown in the countermark section at the end of this presentation. Svoronos also catalogued as 792 a coin showing a Ptolemais mint mark (PI-T-O) to the right of the eagle, previously known from one example in the British Museum (not listed in any other reference book and not seen by Ashton at the Fethiye Museum). The PI-T-O may be the reason this series was ascribed to Ptolemais, but it appears only Svoronos 792 may really be from that area, perhaps an issue of Ptolemy V (note the unusual eagle style). Note also (see countermarked types, below) that some coins of other series are known with tripod countermarks which may indicate their validation for circulation in this region during a time when coins were either in short supply, not being minted at the time, or needed in larger sizes than minted locally.
26mm - 12-14gm Sv 791 'a' Crude style. Ptolemy IV-V? Obol	24mm - 10-11.4gm Sv791 Obol	20mm - 4.5gm Sv792 PI-T-O mark at right Trichalkon	18mm - 4.0gm Sv793 Trichalkon

Ptolemy I - IV - Kyrene Ptolemy I Portrait Types Weight Standards #1 and #2 - Drachm ~ 45.6 and 68.4 gram The usual design motif is a portrait of Ptolemy I on the obverse and the head of Libya on the reverse, often with a branch or cornucopia near the neck. These likely include issues ranging over a lengthy period of time of different Ptolemaic kings. The several at far left are early Ptolemy I - II issues with unusual symbols (e.g. crab, prow) on the reverse. There follow others which Svoronos attributed to Ptolemy III (Svoronos 871, etc.) and which have a single cornucopia near Libya's chin.
18mm - 2.9gm Dichalkon Ptolemy I Portrait Open wing eagle r w/complex monograms Sv 70 Ptolemy I	18mm - 9.1gm Obol Ptolemy I Portrait Open wing eagle and MU-GAMMA (Magas) monogram Sv 327 Ptolemy II, Magas Ruling in Kyrene	17mm - 4.098gm HemiObol Ptolemy I Portrait Open Wing eagle Sv 328 Ptolemy I - II	17mm - 4.688gm HemiObol Ptolemy I Portrait Ship prow on reverse Sv 337 Ptolemy I	21mm - 8.1gm Obol Ptolemy I Portrait Libya Head reverse Double cornucopia at chin Sv 855 Ptolemy III	18mm - 3.8gm HemiObol Ptolemy I Portrait Libya Head reverse Single cornucopia at chin Sv 856 Ptolemy III	13mm - 1.9gm Dichalkon Ptolemy I Portrait Libya Head reverse Single cornucopia at chin Sv 857 Ptolemy III	21mm - 7.6gm Obol Ptolemy I Portrait Libya Head reverse Single cornucopia at chin Sv 871 Ptolemy III	18mm - 2.4gm TriChalkon ? Ptolemy I Portrait Libya Head reverse Single cornucopia behind Libya head Sv 872 Ptolemy III	23mm - 7.6gm Club behind shoulder Double Cornucopia at chin Sv 1268 (note overstruck on unidentified undertype) Ptolemy IV ?

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Cornucopia Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This denomination series differs from the previous series because of the limited coin size ranges. We have only the 'drachm' and 'hemidrachm', with two similar leg monogram types, from Alexandria (cornucopia to left of the eagle). LI = LAMDA IOTA. DI = DELTA IOTA.
42mm - 68.4gm Sv1125 - DI Drachm	36mm - 34.3gm Sv1127 - DI Hemidrachm	42mm - 68.4gm Sv1126 - LI Drachm	36mm - 34.3gm Sv1128 - LI Hemidrachm

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 'SIGMA' Control Types with Cornucopia Mintmark Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram This series has leg control/monogram variations of SIGMA, SIGMA EPSILON, or SIGMA IOTA EPSILON, in 5 sizes, from Alexandria. As in the earlier series (with DELTA IOTA and LAMDA IOTA) we find drachm and hemidrachm sizes, but there are also diobols, and rare hemiobols and dichalka. One very unusual large coin, shown here, has the SIGMA EPSILON monogram in retrograde, known in only two examples (the other in Weiser, Koeln). There are some other coin types of Ptolemy IV that also have these controls and monograms made at other mints (Tyre, Cyprus and Kyrene) - see below. And there's one more Alexandria Ptolemy IV bronze with these controls, a tetrobol, sometimes with a cornucopia countermark. It is part of an enigmatic group of Ptolemy IV Alexandria tetrobols which do not have any cornucopia mintmark. It is shown below with the other Alexandria tetrobols that have no mintmark. The later series (see below) has the tetraobols and diobols of similar types showing countermarks and some with different control symbols or none at all.
42mm - 68.4gm Drachm Sv992 - S/SE	42mm - 68.4gm Drachm Sv992 - S/SE Two examples known with SE retrograde shown here (see Weiser).	36mm - 34.3gm HemiDrachm Sv993 - S/SE/SIE Example known with SE retrograde (Weiser).	30mm - 22.8gm Diobol Sv1151 - S E control Same as Sv994 Double cornucopiae at eagle's shoulder	18mm - 3.8gm HemiObol Not catalogued in Svoronos - S/SE	15mm - 2.9gm DiChalkon Not catalogued in Svoronos - S/SE

Ptolemy IV - Alexandria Series 5 Tetrobols Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram) Ptolemy IV issued an unusual group of tetrobols at Alexandria which, unlike all of his other Alexandria coinage, lack cornucopia mintmarks. One type has the S/SE/SIE (SIGMA, SIGMA EPSILON, etc.) control that is familiar on Ptolemy IV coins of other mints (Alexandria, Cyprus, and Kyrene). Several others have unusual controls seen only on rare Ptolemy/Libya diobols issued at Kyrene (see next series below). These tetrobols were assigned to Kyrene by Svoronos because of their unusual controls shared only at Kyrene. Current research, however, ties all of these tetrobols to Alexandria. Svoronos also connected the S/SE/SIE monogram also of a Tyre coin with the club mintmark to Kyrene, since corrected in modern literature. One of these tetrobols, extremely rare, has no control letter at all. Interestingly, there are no tetrobols or small denominations of Ptolemy IV's DELTA IOTA and LAMDA IOTA coinage. Svoronos also mistakenly included a type he thought had a CHI/RHO monogram in the eagle's legs, misreading a SIGMA-IOTA-EPSILON monogram, but no such Ptolemy IV CHI/RHO tetrobol type exists. There's one more peculiarity related to these tetrobols; all are known to occur with cornucopia countermarks and those are shown separately in the section below with all other countermarked types.
38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobols Svxxxx - No control in eagle's legs See countermarked variant of this same unmarked type below.	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1140 - (retrograde)RHO-PI-Y-E control	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1142 - PI-Y control in eagle's legs w/cornucopia countermark inverted at right	38mm - 45.6gm Tetrobol Sv1148 - S E in eagle's legs Note S E separate letters

Ptolemy IV - Kyrene Series 5 Diobols Euhesperides Mint Ptolemy/Libya Design with Apple Branch behind Libya Head These four types have controls which parallel an enigmatic quartet of Ptolemy IV tetrobols issued at Alexandria (see immediately above), and which lack the otherwise ubiquitous cornucopia mintmark of Alexandria. Interestingly the SIGMA EPSILON control (monogram) connects those Alexandria tetrobols, these Kyrene-Euhesperides diobols, and some rare coins of Tyre and Cyprus all to Ptolemy IV. It may be the most geographically widespread of all the controls and monograms used on Ptolemaic bronze coins and helps date some of the coinages from different locations to the reign of Ptolemy IV. A large sample of these Kyrene diobols has mean weight of 15.5 grams, the diobol weight for Weight Standard #1 (see above). These weigh 1/3 of the Alexandria tetrobols with the same controls that reflect Weight Standard #2 and show the Kyrene retained Weight Standard #1 long after Alexandria and other mints had reformed the bronze coinage to a new weight standard of 50% higher weight (per drachm) after about 265 BC. Note also that the SE diobol of Alexandria's Series 5 is of Weight Standard #2 and so it weighs about 22.8 grams, about 50% more than Kyrene's SE issue seen here.
26mm - 17.6gm Diobol Svxxxx - No control below neck Apple branch behind head Double cornucopiae at chin	28mm - 15.8gm Diobol SV 1141 - (retrograde)RHO-PI-Y-E control below neck Apple branch behind head Double cornucopiae at chin	28mm - 15.0gm Diobol SV 1143 - PI/Y monogram below neck Apple branch behind head Double cornucopiae at chin	28mm - 15.4gm Diobol Sv1152 - S E control below neck Apple branch behind head Double cornucopiae at chin

Ptolemy IV - Tyre Series 5 Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram) Only the drachm and hemidrachm, with two leg control symbol combinations, from Tyre (club to left of the eagle) are catalogued in Svoronos. One rare hemidrachm (uncatalogued) is also shown here with DELTA IOTA controls that also has an ivy leaf countermark on the club (one other specimen known). A hemidrachm with retrograde SIGMA EPSILON monogram is catalogued in Weiser (Koeln) - see the Alexandria drachm with retrograde SIGMA EPSILON above. Additional uncatalogued types have come to light in the three smaller denominations with SIGMA shown here and a few others listed here. The Ptolemy IV coinage of Tyre appears to encompass more control symbol types and sizes than were known until recently. LI = LAMDA IOTA. DI = DELTA IOTA. S=SIGMA. SE=SIGMA EPSILON.
42mm - 68.4gm Sv1129 - LI or DI The two control combinations are not distinguished in Svoronos.	36mm - 34.3gm Sv1130 - LI or DI The two control combinations are not distinguished in Svoronos.	24mm - 11.4gm Sv??? - DI Sv??? - S Sv??? - SE Types not catalogued in Svoronos. Double-size of Svoronos 1153.	18mm - 5.7gm Svoronos 1153 - SE	15mm - 2.9gm Sv??? - S Type not catalogued in Svoronos. One-half of Svoronos 1153

Late 3rd - Early 2nd C. BC Ptolemy IV-V - Tyre Series 5 'Decorated Reverses' Weight Standard #2 - Drachm ~ 68.4 gram These denomination series also have limited coin size ranges. There are actually three different series with different controls. We have only the 'hemidrachm' and smaller sizes, with two main leg monogram types for this unusual 'decorated' series. Tyre issues of these unusual 'decorated' reverse designs have PI, PI-T, PI-T-O, and AP (ALPHA RHO) monograms. This is an enigmatic series for which the basis of the highly decorated reverses is not known, though the combination of filetted cornucopiaea on the eagle's shoulders with a club (of Tyre) or other mintmark is seen on some coins of Ptolemy II. The PI control letter, exergal letters, and unusual decorations (caps of the dioscuri, stars, etc.) are echoed in some silver and gold issues that tie these most likely to Ptolemy V. A precise attribution for the others remains a topic of scholarly investigation. Those with PI-T and PI-T-O are attributed by some to Ptolemais but the use of mint designations in the usual position of control letters as well as the clear presence of the (presumably) Tyre club mark is good reason to question that, as is the existence of related precious metal coins bearing related control marks that are likely attributable to other Phoenician mints. We show these series together here because they unusual 'decorations' on the reverse and Tyre club seem to make them related to one another but the reignal attribution may indeed span Ptolemy IV and V. The production quality of some AP types (such as the hemidrachm shown here) is high enough, with carefully made very round flan with clean rounded edges as well as high artistic quality of its reverse, to suggest even production under Ptolemy III. Two coins shown here merit additional attention. The coin with caduceus countermark is apparently unique and the caduceus as a countermark is not on any other Ptolemaic coins we have seen nor mentioned in Noeske's paper on countermarks of Ptolemaic coins. The city location or other meaning of the caduceus countermark is unknown but that symbol is associated with certain Greek cities such as Tarsos, as is the club seen on some Tarsos coins. It is possible these are Asia Minor issues yet to be better understood. Parts of Cilicia were under Ptolemaic control for much of the 3rd C. BC and only taken by Antiochos III near its end. The coin with PI-T-O control with a size in between Svoronos 1058 and 1060, a 'half size' of Sv 1058, appeared to be a unique specimen as well (a second one only recently appeared in 2014). The AP control types are the most frequently seen, sometimes nicely made (as the example shown here) and other times crudely and of poor metal. The other types are all moderately to very scarce. Some larger coins of these types sometimes show striations under the Zeus figure which appear to be part of the die itself, possibly indicating a re-working or die breaks or wear. These may represent the last Ptolemaic bronze coinage of Tyre before it fell to Antiochos III during the reign of Ptolemy V, or perhaps some of them are from an Asia Minor location that fell to Seleukid control a bit earlier. One recent addition here is the uncatalogued type with the Kausia (hat) underneath the club, known from perhaps five specimens and not catalogued or illustrated in any reference books but there is one specimen in a museum collection. This one is a worn specimen, nevertheless clearly the same coin type as its brother which displays the kausia hat more clearly. The type is related to both the Svoronos 1059 and 1320 which share the same mintmark and PI control letter. A newly discovered type has appeared that bears no controls at all, adding more enigma to this series.
36mm - 34.3gm Hemidrachm Sv1251 - AP	18mm - 3.8gm Trichalkon Sv1252 - AP	16mm - 2gm Chalkous Sv1253 - AP	36mm - 34.3gm Hemidrachm Sv1058 - PI-T-O	28mm - 18gm Svxxxx - PI-T-O Uncatalogued type similar to 1/2 denomination of Sv1058. Trihemiobol	20mm - 5.7gm Hemiobol Sv1060 - PI-T	36mm - 34.3gm Sv1059 - PI Hemidrachm Unusual EP in exergue.	36mm - 34.3gm Hemidrachm Kausia (hat) under club Uncatalogued - PI ? E in exergue.	28mm - 18gm Trihemiobol Sv1320 - PI Unusual IE in exergue.	32mm - 22gm Diobol Uncatalogued No Controls

Alexandria 2nd C. BC Unmarked Series 2 Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram Largest Denomination Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units The largest Zeus Ammon coin value is 100 units. When closely examined, the identification of all Demeter/Isis coins in the Tell Nowa hoard as Sv 1234 is incorrect. This series's Demeter/Isis type is Sv 1234, mean weight ~ 17.1 grams. Sv 1234 and 1235 are different types, metrologically speaking (see AJN 2021, v. 33 pp. 57-119), but even the experts, Faucher and Lorber, incorrectly analyzed these types found mixed together in the Tell Nowa hoard. The Alexander-head third size here, Sv 1236, is the same coin type as Sv 1495. Svoronos mistakenly gave one type two catalog numbers (as occured several times in the Svoronos catalog, e.g. Sv 1151 = Sv 994). This series represents an analog of the 'heavy' Zeus/Demeter/Heracles/Alexander series with larger coins (see above).
28mm - 21.9gm Sv1424b 100 Units	28mm - 17.1gm Sv1234 80 Units	24mm - 11.7gm Sv1494 50 Units	22mm - 8gm Sv1236 (= Sv1495) 40 Units	18mm - 4.3gm Sv1238 20 Units Speculative assignment to this series.

Alexandria 2nd C. BC - Marked Series Class 1 K Control Symbol Weight Standard #4 - Unit ~ 0.22 gram Largest Zeus Coin ~ 100 Units
30mm - 20gm Weiser 136 - OMICRON w/inscribed LAMDA (star at left) 100 Units See countermark type below	30mm - 21.5gm Sv1375 - K (star at left) See countermark type below. Sv ? - nm w/cmk (star at left) See below. 100 Units	25mm - 10.6gm Sv1376 - K 50 Units	22mm - 7.1gm Sv1377 - K 30 Units	18mm - 4.8gm Sv1378 - K 20 Units	16mm - 2.9gm Sv1379 - K 15 Units