Ptolemy XII AR Tetradrachm Alexandria 65–64 BC Eagle on Thunderbolt

Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, tetradrachm, silver, reign 80–58 BC; struck at Alexandria 65–64 BC; 14.12 g; 26 mm. Anepigraphic obverse with diademed head of Ptolemy I right, wearing aegis. Reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ; eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed; LI Ξ (date) in left field; ΠA in right. Struck on the Ptolemaic (Phoenician) standard on a broad flan with full legend. Ref: BMC 33–35; Svoronos 1864; SNG Copenhagen 388.

This Alexandrian issue follows the established Ptolemaic practice of depicting the dynasty’s founder, Ptolemy I, rather than the current ruler, while retaining the eagle-on-thunderbolt as the royal emblem. The Egyptian-style date mark LI Ξ corresponds to 65/4 BC within the first reign of Ptolemy XII, a period marked by close dealings with Rome. The denomination is on the reduced Phoenician standard of about 14 g used for Egypt’s silver currency and regional commerce.