LOT #25127 |
Current Bid: $310
Greek: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Cleopatra VII Philopater (51-30 BC). AE 80 drachmae (27mm, 16.80 gm, 12h). NGC VG 4/5 - 2/5.
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Description
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Cleopatra VII Philopater (51-30 BC). AE 80 drachmae (27mm, 16.80 gm, 12h). NGC VG 4/5 - 2/5. Alexandria, ca. 50-40 BC. Diademed, draped bust of Cleopatra VII right, seen from front, with hair tucked in small chignon at base of head / ΚΛΕOΠΑΤΡΑΣ-ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with wings closed; cornucopia in left field, Π in right field. Svoronos 1871. SNG Copenhagen 419-421.From The Merrill A. Gibson Collection of Ancient Coins. Ex Apollo Numismatics, private sale with old dealer's tag included.
Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Ptolemaic Egypt, succeeded to the throne alongside her younger brother in 51 BC. The resulting succession crisis led to her seeking support from Rome, thereby becoming Caesar's lover. She assembled an army and, with Roman reinforcements, took back her throne. In 47 BC, she had a child whom she named Ptolemy Caesar - it is unknown whether Caesar was the child's father, but she claimed that he was. She married a different brother of hers and ruled with him until his death in 44 BC. Following Caesar's assassination and the Battle of Philippi, Marc Antony called upon Cleopatra to explain her role in the aftermath of Caesar's assassination. He was captivated by her and returned to Alexandria, leaving behind his wife and children in Italy. She gave birth to his twins, Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios, in 40 BC. Antony had intentions to rule vast swaths of land with his young family, and Octavian took issue with this, so they engaged in a propaganda war that escalated to military battles. In the midst of a battle, Marc Antony received false news that Cleopatra was dead - she had simply retired to her mausoleum. He fell on his sword and supposedly had himself carried to Cleopatra and bid her to make peace with Octavian before dying. Cleopatra then ended her own life. Although Suetonius claimed that she died by asp bite, other Roman writers such as Strabo, Plutarch, and Cassius Dio said that she poisoned herself.
Auction Info
2025 September 21 The Merrill A. Gibson Collection of Ancient Coins Showcase Auction #61519 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
September
21st
Sunday
6:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
September
21st
Sunday
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8 Days
18h 59m 36s
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World & Ancient Coins Session
(Lots 25001-25367) - 7:00 PM Central Time, Sunday, September 21, 2025.
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