2 Ptolemaic Egyptian Bronze Units featuring Cleopatra VII & Ptolemy V. Descriptions: 1) Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator Bronze Dichalkon Æ 12, Cyprus mint (ca. 51-30 BCE). 12mm; 1.6g. Issued by the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt in Paphos, Cyprus. An example of this type of coin featuring the “famous Cleopatra” is in the collection of The British Museum. Obv: Diademed bust of Cleopatra VII as Isis, hari in melon coiffure, facing right. Rev: Double cornucopia flanked by ribbons (as on the coins of Arsinoe I). Ref: Kreuzer M. The Coinage System of Cleopatra VII (Springfield, MA 2004) p. 44, first illustration ; Svoronos 1160 (Ptolemy IV); SNG Cop 649. History: Cleopatra produced a bronze coinage on the island of Cyprus, which had been restored to her kingdom by Caesar. In contrast to the issues produced in Egypt, the bronze coinage of Cyprus was given no denominational marks. 2) Ptolemy V Epiphanes Æ Unit, Cyrene mint (ca. 204 BCE). 18mm; 80g. Obv: Diademed bust of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis. Rev: Draped bust of Libya to right, wearing tiara; cornucopia below chin. History: Cleopatra VII’s 3rd great-grandfather, Ptolemy V, inherited the Egyptian throne at age 5, and came of age in 196 BC and was crowned as pharaoh in Memphis, an occasion commemorated by the creation of the Rosetta Stone. In 194/3 BCE, he married Cleopatra I. Ref: Svoronos p. 222 & pl. XLVI, 23-5; SNG Copenhagen 446; Asolati 76. Provenance: From a private NYC collection. Purchased from Planet Numanistics in Athens, Greece.

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