Ptolemy II Philadelphos - 11.75 g AE 25 - Obol

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 obol represents that practical end of the spectrum: a compact, easily handled piece 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 obol was struck at Alexandria around 266 to 246 BC, under the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphos, who consolidated his father's kingdom into a wealthy, highly organized Hellenistic state and made Alexandria a leading center of culture and scholarship. The obverse depicts the head of Alexander the Great facing right, wearing an elephant skin headdress that evokes his conquests in the East and ties the Ptolemaic dynasty to his legacy. The reverse shows an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, its head turned left with wings open, with no accompanying field symbol and a Lambda between its legs, alongside the Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ("of King Ptolemy"). It is catalogued as Svoronos 482 and SNG Copenhagen 142.

Obverse: Head of Alexander the Great right, wearing elephant skin headdress

Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head left, wings open, no field symbol, Lambda between legs

Catalogues: Svoronos 482, SNG Copenhagen 142

Mint Info: Alexandria, circa 266-246 BC

Mass: 11.75 g

Diameter: 25 mm