Ptolemy VI Philometor - 14.91 g AE 28 - Bronze

Ptolemaic Egypt is best known for its massive bronze issues, some of the largest coins struck anywhere in antiquity, but the same system also produced a full range of smaller fractional denominations for everyday circulation. This piece represents that practical end of the spectrum: a compact, easily handled coin meant for smaller transactions within Egypt's closed monetary economy, standing in contrast to the palm-sized showpieces the dynasty is most famous for.

This bronze was struck at Alexandria between 180 and 145 BC, under the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor, who came to the throne as a young child under the regency of his mother Cleopatra I, the first Ptolemaic queen to rule as regent for a reigning king. The obverse depicts the head of Isis facing right, wreathed with grain ears and wearing her hair in long locks, a type reflecting the growing prominence of Isis in Ptolemaic royal imagery and her associations with fertility and queenship. The reverse shows an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, its head turned left with wings open, accompanied by a monogram in the left field and no symbol between its legs, alongside the Greek inscription ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ("of King Ptolemy"). It is catalogued as Svoronos 1235, Weiser 131, and SNG Copenhagen 248.

Obverse: Head of Isis right, wreathed with grain ears, hair in long locks

Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head left, wings open, monogram in left field, nothing between legs

Catalogues: Svoronos 1235, Weiser 131, SNG Copenhagen 248

Mint Info: Alexandria, 180-145 BC

Mass: 14.91 g

Diameter: 28 mm (misshapen flan — effective diameter approximately 24–25 mm)