ORC4719 Cleopatra portrait, Damascus gVF
$800.00
Apr-02-02
Seller  oldromancoins.com


ORC4719 Cleopatra portrait, Damascus gVF

Cleopatra VII, Damascus, Syria, Æ25, (obol) (8.38g) Diademed and draped
bust right, hair in bun behind. / L G DAMASKANIWN Tyche seated left holding
cornucopia, river god swimming before, head facing. RPC 4781; Svoronos
1893; Vagi 222. Good VF, dark patina, exceptional for this issue, which is
usually very worn.

The various bronze coins struck by cities controlled by Cleopatra were
apparently local obols, a 1/24th fraction of the tetradrachms of this
ruler, which circulated throughout her Kingdom. This issue was struck at
two weight standards. This 25mm type, dated Year 3 with weight 8-9 grams,
is scarcer than the smaller one, Year 7, which has a smaller flan, c. 22mm
and weight 6-7 grams. Both have the same designs and should be considered
obols equal to the c. 8.5 gram obol of Egypt, but for circulation in and
near Damascus.