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Review bronze coin types of Ptolemy II Bronze denominations of Ptolemy II  

   Review the possibility of denominational indicators on coins of Ptolemy III Denominations of Ptolemy III

   Hoard data shows that two eagles were not denominational markers Hoard data of Ptolemies II, III, IV

   Two eagles were not denominational markers in time of Ptolemy VI Denominations of Ptolemy VI

   Corrections to the literature that are developed in Part 1 Index to Part 1

Evidence for two eagles as symbols of co-regency Two eagles as symbols of co-regents

   Two eagles coincide with times of co-regency Concurrence of eagles/co-regency

   Additional evidence that indicates two eagles represent co-regency Additional evidence

Apparent origin of a widely held but incorrect view Origin of a current incorrect view

Summary of the website and conclusions obtained for two different hypotheses Summary

Difficulties in attempts to publish a manuscript Attempted publication

Options to read and/or print manuscript Read / download manuscript

Acknowledgements Acknowledgements

List of interesting web sites Links

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Two Eagles on Ptolemaic Coins as Representations of Co-Regency

Review of denominations of early Ptolemaic bronze coins  -  Ptolemy III 

The review of Ptolemy II's bronze coins (in Part 1) showed that if there are six denominations each had unique differences in their obverse and/or reverse.  This is consistent with a possibility that the Ptolemaic mint purposefully indicated various denominations by specific combinations of obverse and/or reverse types.  This possibility can be tested by seeing whether or not it held for coins that were produced shortly after those of Ptolemy II (284-246 BC) and were in circulation at the same time.Parts 1b and 1c readily show that two eagles do not indicate denomination.

Below is a table of denominations of Ptolemy III (246-221 BC) as given by Mørkholm.  Comparisons of the types of various denominations produced by Ptolemy III can be made by clicking on the large rectangular boxes at the far right.  Comparisons of the same denominations produced by both Ptolemy II and Ptolemy III are presented by clicking on the lowest large box.  Conclusions are presented below the table.

       Denominations of Bronze Coins of Ptolemy III       

    
Module Obverse Reverse Diameter Weight Pt II
 Module 
A Pt III Ammon eagle, cw 43-5 mm 59-78g c.68g B
B Pt III Ammon eagle,cw,hr,cs 40 mm 39-53g c.46g C
C Pt III Ammon eagle, cw 35 mm 28-38g - -
D Pt III Ammon eagle, cw 30 mm 19-25g c.22g D
E Pt III Zeus eagle, ow 27 mm 10-16g - -
Fi Pt III Ammon eagle, cw 25 mm 9-13g c.11g E
Fii Pt III Alexander eagle,cw,hr,cs 25 mm 8-12g
G Pt III Ammon eagle, cw, cs 20 mm 4.5-6g c.6.8g F
H Pt III Alexander eagle, cw 17 mm 3-5g c.5.2g G
I Pt III Ammon eagle, cw 16 mm 2-3g c.3.4g H
J Pt III Alexander eagle, cw 13 mm 1-2g - -

 O. Mørkholm, Early Hellenistic Coinage (Cambridge, 1991), p.107.

 ow = open wings;  cw = closed wings;  hr = head reverted;  cs = cornucopia at shoulder
 
 

Pt III

refA

refB

refC

refD

refE

refF

refG

refH

refI

refJ

Different denominations
with same obv. / rev.

Same denomination with
different obv. / rev.

Small denominations
with same obv. / rev.

Same denomination (of PtII and
PtIII) with different obv. or rev.

Click on one of the boxes above; a comparison of modules (i.e., denominations) will appear here.

Conclusions, based on the comparison, will appear below.

References and a general summary are also available (click on these labels above).

 

A summary of conclusions from the comparisons is given here when Summary is clicked.

The summary also appears after three comparisons of denominations are done (see boxes at upper right).

  go to 1 - Review of bronze denominations of Ptolemy II go to 1b - Review of hoard data regarding denominations of Ptolemies II, III and IV

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