ORC5133 Ptolemy XII tetr. Cyprus aEF
$300.00
Apr-30-02
Seller   oldromancoins.com 


                   ORC5133 Ptolemy XII tetr. Cyprus aEF

Egypt, Ptolemy XII, AR tetradrachm, (13.82g) dated Year 29 = 52/51 BC,
Paphos Mint, Diademed head of Ptolemy XII right, aegis at neck. /
RTOLEMAIOY BASILEWS Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, LKŲ before, RA
behind. Svor. 1839. Near EF

Tetradrachms of the later Ptolemies all have similar types. 
The obverse features a diademed head facing right, with a 
strong chin, usually wearing an aegis at the neck. Die axis 
is generally 12:00. The reverse says BASILEWS PTOLEMAIOY.
To the left of the eagle are the date: La or Laa, e.g. LB 
or LIB. To the right of the eagle is the mintmark PA, for 
Paphos.

After the restoration of Ptolemy XII, an elaborate hairstyle 
gave a certain charm to the head of Ptolemy. It consisted of 
several sharply separated rows of locks arranged 
alternately, and placed in tiers, one above the other.

With the renewed issues of [Ptolemy VI] Philometor in Cyprus, the hair has become inordinately curly, the
nose longer, thinner, sharper, the eye a mere dot and not 
so deeply sunk as before. Only the projecting chin is still 
that of [Ptolemy I] Soter.

The portraits of Ptolemy VI's brother, Ptolemy VIII are
similar to those of Ptolemy VI, as are those of Ptolemy 
VIII's son-nephew, Ptolemy IX; and those of Ptolemy VIII's other son-nephew, Ptolemy X.

The portrait of Ptolemy XII, (sometimes called Ptolemy I
Soter) is a bit feminized
Weak-minded and much indebted, Ptolemy XII was squarely 
under the control of the Romans. Like some modern debtor 
nations, much of the considerable production of Egypt, was 
taxed for repayment of debt to the Romans, including a large 
bribe to Julius Caesar, who was then consul. The debt to
Julius Caesar was 6000 talents, and Ptolemy owed money to 
many others Romans and to Rome. 
A mob drove Ptolemy XII from Alexandria in 58 BC. He fled to 
Cyprus, and his allies, the Romans. Whilst he was absent,
coinage in his name was continued from Paphos, while the 
island was under the "control" of the Romans. 
His eldest daughter, Berenike IV, ruled Egypt from 58-55,
striking no known coinage. Her regnal years 1, 2 and 3 appear on papyri, but not coins because she did not control 
the main mint at Paphos, which was under control of the 
Roman allies of her father.