Ptolemy IV Philopator - 26.64 g AE 35 - Bronze - Tentative

Ptolemaic Egypt produced some of the largest bronze coins ever struck in antiquity. These massive issues were a distinctive feature of the Ptolemaic monetary system, where large bronze denominations served as practical, high-value currency within Egypt's relatively closed monetary economy. Their substantial size and weight allowed them to function as important units of value within the kingdom's internal monetary system.

This bronze is tentatively attributed to Alexandria between 221 and 205 BC during the reign of Ptolemy IV Philopator, whose reign saw the kingdom successfully repel the Seleucid Empire at the Battle of Raphia despite increasing internal decline. The obverse depicts the diademed head of Zeus-Ammon facing right and wearing a taenia, linking Ptolemaic kingship with the divine authority of the syncretic Greek-Egyptian deity. The reverse shows an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt with its head turned left and wings spread, with a cornucopia above the right wing at the shoulder and a control mark interpreted as ΔΙ or possibly Δ between the legs. The inscription ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ("of King Ptolemy") identifies the issuing authority. No exact catalogue match has been identified, and the type is tentatively compared with Svoronos 1148.

Obverse: Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing taenia

Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head left, wings open/spread, cornucopia above right wing at shoulder, ΔΙ (Delta-Iota) or Δ (Delta) between legs; ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ("of King Ptolemy")

Catalogues: Cf. Svoronos 1148

Mint Info: Alexandria, 221–205 BC (tentative)

Mass: 26.64 g

Diameter: 35 mm