Ptolemy XII AR Tetradrachm, Alexandria, Year 19, 63–62 BC

Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, tetradrachm, silver, reign 80–58 BC, struck 63–62 BC, 13.95 g, 26 mm. Alexandria mint. Obverse anepigraphic: diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis. Reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ; eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed; LIΘ in left field, ΠA control in right. Struck on a broad flan with central alignment and complete legend. Svoronos 1866; Noeske 347; SNG Copenhagen 390.

This issue belongs to the long Ptolemaic tradition of showing the dynasty’s founder, Ptolemy I, on later rulers’ coinage to assert continuity of rule. The eagle on thunderbolt served as the house badge and links the kingship with Zeus. The regnal date and control letters enable precise placement at Alexandria during Ptolemy XII’s first reign, a period of close financial dealings with Rome preceding his temporary deposition in 58 BC, and the reduced-weight tetradrachm formed the principal silver currency of Egypt and its eastern Mediterranean trade.