ORC3038 Cleopatra & her son, AE28, VF
Unsold at $4,500.00
Dec-13-01

Cleopatra VII & Alexander Helios, AE28, (13.28g) Paphos Mint, Cyprus, c. 38
BC, Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra VII right, as Aphrodite, holding
scepter and infant. / K[L]EORATPAS BASILISSHS Two cornucopiae, joined at
bottom and bound with fillet, KYRP monogram to in lower right field. S7957;
BMC 2-3; RPC 3901; Vagi 76. VF, rough, dusty dark tone, and among the
finest known of this rare issue.

The largest bronze denomination, struck during the time of Cleopatra in
Cyprus, is a bronze unit. The exact relationship between the bronze unit
and the silver tetradrachm is not known with certainty. However,
calculating backward from the time of Egyptian bronze 
coinage of Augustus, this was a diobol.

The obverse features a fairly crude diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra
VII as Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans), facing right, scepter behind her
shoulder, holding an infant, called Ptolemy XV (Caesarion) as Eros (Cupid
to the Romans) in her arms. The reverse has two cornucopia, joined at the
base, and bound with a fillet. The monogram KYRP that stands for Cyprus,
appears to the right. The legend in Greek is ''Cleopatra, Queen.''
Collectors have long admired this rare coin. A small number are known. A
modest production run or possible recall of the issue by the Romans, may
account for the rarity of this type.