ORC3323 Cleopatra portrait on  countermark VF
US $225.00
Aug-13-04

        Chalkis, Syria, Ptolemy I, 85-40 BC, Æ20, (7.27g) Laureate
        head of Zeus (or tetrarch) right, oval countermarked with
        female bust right, with a hair style resembling that of
[Image] Cleopatra VII. / PTOLEMAIOY TET APXHE P Eagle flying right. [Image]
        S5896var. BMC XX page 279, #2; Lindgren 2134A; Lindgren III
        1230. VF, dark patina.

        Ptolemy I was succeeded by his son Lysanias, who was put to
        death by Marc Antony. Antony gave the kingdom to Cleopatra
        as a gift. The attribution of the countermark to Cleopatra
        is speculative, but the evidence seems to fit.
        Countermarked bronzes with the head of Cleopatra VII are
        known for Antioch, Chalkis, Seleukia and Laodicea.