Bust of Cleopatra VII The mailman brought an interesting tetradrachm that highlights the detailed inspection that can be required to differentiate between ancient coins. Looking at this coin there are a few possibilities for exactly who issued this coin. One possibility: a coin of the last Pharaoh of Egypt the 17-year old Ptolemy Caesar or Ptolemy XV. Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, joint rule of Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XV (aka Caesarion), 37-30 BC, AR Tetradrachm, Alexandria min

In 1237 CE, Ḡīāṯ-al-Dīn Kayḵosrow II became sultan when his father, Kayqubad I (1219-1237 CE), died. He would reign until his death in...

This year I have explored the coins of Asia Minor or the Anatolian peninsula. Anatolia from Greek Ἀνατολή , meaning "The East" is the region east of Greece and Asia Minor roughly synonymous. I use both terms loosely and as synonyms. For me the experience has been both rewarding and also reminded me often of the comment of Francesco Gnecchi from a book published by Spink 1903, referring to those new to ancient coins: "Among a hundred individuals who begin to collect one can co

Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi , by Joseph-Benoît Suvée (1795, Louvre), Public Domain image from the wikipedia. Cornelia was the...

While it is possible that one more coin might show up this year, it seems unlikely that I will displace any of the coins listed below, so...