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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

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Two Eagles on Ptolemaic Coins as Representations of Co-Regency

Review of denominations of early Ptolemaic bronze coins  -  Ptolemy II 

In the reign of Ptolemy II (284-246 BC), a major reform of Egyptian bronze coinage occurred; extremely large coins (e.g., c.105g/48mm) were produced while the smallest denomination weighed c.3g/16mm (see table).  The variation of types on obverses and reverses has been taken to show various denominations.  For example, the value of module B would have been indicated by the two-eagle reverse type.  Before considering (in Parts 2 a,b) any special symbolism of the two-eagle reverse on module B, Part 1 reviews the general possibility of denominational indicators on early Ptolemaic bronze coinage.Parts 1b and 1c readily show that two-eagle symbol does not indicate denomination.

Denominations of Bronze Coins of Ptolemy II
Module   Obverse   Reverse Diameter Weight
A Ammon eagle, ow, hr 48 mm 76-105 g
B Ammon two eagles, cw 42 mm 62-78 g
C Ammon eagle, ow 36 mm 41-50 g
D Zeus eagle, cw 30 mm 17-25 g
E Alexander eagle, ow 24 mm 9-15 g
F Alexander eagle, ow 20 mm 5-8 g
G Ammon eagle, ow 18 mm 4-6 g
H Ammon eagle, ow 16 mm 2-4 g

 O. Mørkholm, Early Hellenistic Coinage (Cambridge, 1991), p.105.

 ow = open wings; cw = closed wings; hr = head reverted

 

Pt II

refA

refB

refC

refD

refE

refF

refG

refH

Compare denominations A,B, C

Compare denominations C and D

Compare denominations E and F

Compare denominations G and H

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).




 

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