Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt: Ptolemy I Soter, AR Tetradrachm Struck under Ptolemy I

[Overlord]

Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt: Ptolemy I Soter, AR Tetradrachm Struck under Ptolemy II, Alexandria mint, c. 285-246 BC, Svoronos 567, SNG Copenhagen 107, BMC p. 25, 7-8 (14.1 g, 28 mm)

My first Ptolemaic coin. Despite the graffiti on the reverse, I am happy with it. I was able to find the attribution online. The coin depicts Ptolemy I, the companion and historian of Alexander the Great.

Obverse: Diademed head of Ptolemy I right
Reverse: Eagle standing on thunderbolt, Galatian shield and monogram in left field, ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ.

[THCoins]

Beautifull tetradrachm ! Like the early Seleukid tetradrachms, the tetradrachms from the early part of the Ptolemeic dynasty still express a classical Greek style with high relief portraits. Love it !

[Arminius]

 

[Figleaf]

What they said.

Among the diadochi, Seleucus was probably smarter and certainly more tenacious than Ptolemy, but The difference wasn't that big. Someone who has the capacity to sit out that power struggle, mostly supporting the weakest guys and remaining on the sidelines has my sympathy.

Peter

[Overlord]

Slightly improved image:

[THCoins]

Like the improvement ! Looks like you also played a bit with the direction of the light on this one. Nicely brings out the slightly concave aspect of the eagle side.

[gpimper]

Yours is in a bit better shape than mine :-)

[Figleaf]

Grades are fine, but by far not as important as the story. Ptolomeus I started out as a drinking companion of a short-tempered young Macedonian, now known as Alexander the Great. When Alexander died, he got hold of one of his richest conquests: Egypt. He sat out the wars of the diadochi by supporting the weakest parties verbally and (except when Rhodos was under siege) doing little in particular. When Seleucus was in trouble, he harboured him and got him back on his feet, so that when Seleucus was back in business and started to dominate the diadochi, Egypt was not attacked.

He started a royal dynasty and kept Egypt stable and peaceful, a situation more or less maintained until some Romans came over and started vying for the favours of Cleopatra.

Other heavy drinkers have done less well

Peter