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Silver Coin (Tetradrachm) Issued
by Ptolemy VI
Egypt, 180-145 B.C.
Obverse: Diademed head of Ptolemy I
Reverse: Eagle standing
Dia. 2.9 cm (1 1/16")
Burton Y. Berry Collection, 82.66.85
Egypt had no real tradition of coinage before the early third century B.C.,
when it became the custom for monarchs to strike coins with their own portraits,
the first being probably Ptolemy I of Egypt. A study of character, this
portrait of Ptolemy I emphasizes individual features: bulging forehead,
blunt nose, protruding chin. Ptolemy I also introduced the eagle on the
reverse of coins, possibly to suggest identification with Zeus. His successors
continued to use his portrait to celebrate the dynasty's founding father.
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