Kleopatra III and Ptolemy IX to Ptolemy XII AE

This bronze coin belongs to the late Ptolemaic period, spanning the turbulent era from the co‑regencies of Kleopatra III with her sons Ptolemy IX Soter II and Ptolemy X Alexander I, through to the reign of Ptolemy XII Auletes. Coins of this period typically feature traditional Ptolemaic iconography—most commonly a stylized eagle standing on a thunderbolt on the reverse, a long‑standing emblem of Ptolemaic authority. The obverse often depicts a diademed male head, generally representing the ruling king, though portraits in this era tend to be abstract and idealized rather than individualized.

These bronzes circulated widely throughout Egypt during a time marked by dynastic conflict, shifting alliances, and intermittent co‑rule. While exact attribution to a specific monarch within this date range can be challenging due to stylistic continuity, the coinage reflects the enduring administrative and monetary traditions established by the early Ptolemies.