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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,471 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
This one (and another, lower grade of the same type) were going too cheap on CNG to pass up! Ptolemy IV 225-201 BC AE Drachm, 43mm, 65g Head of Zeus-Ammon right Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, filleted cornucopia to left, ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ  I didn't think to get a scale image of this coin, but here is one of the other (same size) against a US quarter  And people complained about Ike dollars being too big! |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Bet their pants wound up around their ankles! Those would be dangerous in a pocket!   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
I bet!
Egypt has almost no natural silver reserves, but is loaded with copper and gold. The Ptolemies imported silver to make tetradrachms, but for whatever reason they felt it was better to make their citizens carry these monstrosities around, rather than also minting silver drachms or attempting some sort of fiat system.
This is one of the larger Ptolemaic coins, but by no means the biggest! I think RVFVS has an AE45 that weighs almost 100g, and they went up to AE48! I believe that barring some Indian gold and silver, these are the largest struck coins of antiquity.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
These coins are at the top of my favorite coin type. To strike a coin this large it had to take a tremendous amount of force. I've read where it is thought that they were struck using some type of press.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Beautiful examples. Playing frisbee with one of those could kill someone.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
701 Posts |
Nice big lump there Steve  I always imagine one being dropped on an exposed toe/ foot by a careless trader, that really would smart. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3442 Posts |
I do enjoy these myself and have 6 I believe. Seven if you include the Cypriot with Aphrodite reverse.
My "quarter pounder" comes in at 47mm and 99.2 grams. Given the wear on it I believe it would have easily cleared the century mark in its youth !
I paid more than I normally would have (given my cheapskate nature) but sometimes even I get carried away.
Recently I went in the opposite direction
I found one of 13mm 2.54 grams
Curiously it appears to be bronze and not copper
I think you might safely remove some of the green deposits and improve the coin somewhat. The green stuff may have scared off the competition. In which case it has served you well and can make an exit
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
I love those giant Ptolemy bronzes. Last week one of the dealers at the local ancient coin club meeting had one (must have been darn close to 45mm) in a tray alongside denarii and obols and such. I remember, while looking at that tray, I was thinking of pictures of the Burj Khalifa and the surrounding buildings in Dubai. Sort of a standout, to say the least.
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Moderator
United States
34416 Posts |
Quote:
I love those giant Ptolemy bronzes. I agree! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
New Zealand
292 Posts |
 with Bob L. I love those giant Ptolemy Bronzes. Also all of the Ptolemy types too. Very nice,awesome coin Finn235 |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,471 |
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Posted 05/23/2018 1:59 pm
