Coins of Cleopatra VII

I am keen to have one coin of Cleopatra VII (“The” Cleopatra that everybody has heard of). However I’m confused about what actually are genuine Cleopatra VII coins.

There are bronze 80 drachma pieces that sell for hundreds of dollars in shocking condition.


And then there are coins from Paphos mint in Cyprus (bronze chalkons) advertised as Cleopatra. These were previously attributed to Ptolemy IV – but now reattributed to Cleopatra with the obverse of Isis now described as “Cleopatra as Isis”. This is based on a book by Kreuzer “The Coinage System of Cleopatra VII and Augustus in Cyprus”.


Some dealers sell the coin as Cleopatra and say this:


“Kreuzer, in his book The Coinage System of Cleopatra VII and Augustus in Cyprus, assembles evidence dating this type to Cleopatra VII instead of the reign of Ptolemy IV used in older references.”


Other dealers sell the coin (for less) as Ptolemy IV and say this:


“Kreuzer, in his book “The Coinage System of Cleopatra VII and Augustus in Cyprus,” argues that this type and a few other small types were issued by Cleopatra VII. This opinion in not currently widely accepted. Another possibility is that these small types were issued under several rulers in the late Ptolemaic period. The Ptolemy IV attribution, which we also believe is questionable, is from Svoronos.”


Is this just a case of wishful marketing? Attaching a famous name to a coin in order to inflate the price? Similar to “coins of Pontius Pilate” which in my opinion are really coins of Tiberius.

 

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Ummm, all I heard was VII and Cleopatra ... so I decided to step-up to the plate with VIII and Kleopatra (maybe you won't notice?)

Antiochos VIII & Kleopatra Thea
125-121 BC
Antiochos VIII & Owl

 

Haha awesome, Golem

 

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/mo...ess_cleopatra_countermark/535947/Default.aspx



Cleo counterstamp? ... ummm, still pretty weak, eh?




https://www.vcoins.com/en/Search.aspx?search=true&searchQuery=cleopatra VII&searchQueryExclude=&searchCategory=0&searchCategoryLevel=2&searchCategoryAncient=True&searchCategoryUs=False&searchCategoryWorld=False&searchCategoryMedieval=False&searchBetween=0&searchBetweenAnd=0&searchDate=&searchUseThesaurus=True&searchDisplayCurrency=&searchDisplayAsList=False&searchIdStore=0&searchQueryAnyWords=&searchExactPhrase=&searchTitleAndDescription=True&searchDateType=0&searchMaxRecords=100&SearchOnSale=False&Unassigned=False

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/se...bc_silver_denarius_superb/622250/Default.aspx

ooowww => only $52,000 Canadian

 

I have a theory that very few of the coins advertised as Cleopatra VII are in fact coins of Cleopatra VII. But I'll wait for someone more scholarly to give an opinion.

The Marc Antony / Cleopatra VII portrait coins seem to be the real deal and would be nice to have.

 

I mean, you might as well take any 6th century coin from England and call it a coin of King Arthur.

 

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it's all I got => have a great night, Smeagol

 

Thanks Gol. It's actually morning, but the sentiment was nice

 

I'm reserving opinion on the issues described "Cleopatra as Isis." I just don't know enough about the series. But the point is largely moot if you're looking for an actual bust of Cleopatra VII - it's either Cleopatra or it isn't, and the only issues we can definitely say belong to her are the ones with the inscription KΛEOΠATPAΣ BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ. And you're quite right about their scarcity and generally fair condition.

 

Its gots a Cleopatra on it but its not a Cleopatra coin, what is it Precious? What is it!?

 

Wishful marketing. I don't know of anyone even moderately "knowledgeable" who has accepted the re-attribution.

Phil Davis

 

I actually purchased one of these from a Forum auction and another more acceptable type that is in poor to Fine condition many years ago. A few members have some very attractive examples and I hope they catch this thread and post....

 

BTW: Here's a recent Agora Auction offering:

 

Yup. That's what most of them look like.

 

EDIT:

Sorry, double post again---My computer seems to be 'sticking or freezing' a bit...and i just changed my browser to Firefox...Hmmm

 

The eagle is upside down in my post:

 

I'd want one in at least Fine, but then we're talking about thousands of dollars. I've found that when I buy rare coins in Fair condition, they end up not being loved and I sell them.

 

The Ptolemaic bronzes have the distinction of portraying Cleopatra in a more lifelike manner than the denarii in my opinion. She looks too much like Marc Antony on the silver in my opinion, and even his bust seems quite stylized.

One of my favorites of the type came up in Roma 6 Lot 682...



I'm sure you can get one this nice. Just be ready to take out that third mortgage.

 

Like Greg, I tend more and more to go after the VF-EF + types for all the same reasons---but some are simply WAY out of my financial reach and I'll simply do without them for now.

A poor almost fine grade coin NEVER appears any prettier LOL

 

A scathing book review that you might want to read:

http://ansmagazine.com/Winter05/Cyprus