Ptolemaic Egypt, Ptolemy VI & Cleopatra I, Bronze Unit

These large bronze coins come from Egypt's Ptolemaic period, and were minted under King Ptolemy VI and Queen Cleopatra I between 180 and 145 BCE. Their obverse sides show the head of the goddess Isis, while their reverses show an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, with the legend "ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ" (of King Ptolemy).

Ptolemaic Egypt was a Greek-ruled kingdom that rose after Alexander the Great’s death, when his general Ptolemy took control of Egypt and founded a dynasty that mixed Greek and Egyptian traditions. Cleopatra I, a Seleucid princess who became queen by marrying Ptolemy V, brought a rare moment of peace between rival empires. Their son, Ptolemy VI, inherited the throne as a child and reigned through turbulent times—wars with the Seleucids, Roman meddling, and power struggles with his own siblings. Yet under their rule, Egypt remained one of the richest kingdoms of the ancient world, its capital Alexandria a dazzling hub of trade, learning, and culture, where Greek philosophers and Egyptian priests alike walked the same streets. The story of the Ptolemies is one of family drama, political intrigue, and cultural fusion, setting the stage for the famous Cleopatra VII a century later.

Each coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.