Ptolemy IX Soter II or Ptolemy X Alexander I - 31.00 g AE 33 - 80 Units

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, while smaller denominations handled everyday transactions.

This large bronze was struck at Alexandria circa 113–81 BC, during a period in which the throne passed between Ptolemy IX Soter II and Ptolemy X Alexander I amid disputed succession and periods of shared and competing rule. 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 two eagles standing left on a thunderbolt with heads left and wings closed, accompanied by a cornucopia in the left field and no symbol between their legs. The inscription ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ("of King Ptolemy") identifies the issuing authority. The long production period and shared type make a definitive attribution between the two rulers uncertain. It is catalogued as Svoronos 1424, SNG Copenhagen 305–307, and Sear 7901.

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

Reverse: Two eagles standing left on thunderbolt, heads left, wings closed; cornucopia in left field; no symbol between legs; ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ("of King Ptolemy")

Catalogues: Svoronos 1424; SNG Copenhagen 305–307; Sear 7901

Mint Info: Alexandria, circa 113–81 BC

Mass: 31.00 g

Diameter: 33 mm