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 1245 CE. Let's start with a coin from the father, Kayqubad I . Seljuq of Rum, Ala al-din Kayqubad I, 1219-1237 CE, AH 616-630, Siwas mint in AH 617, AR Dirhem  (2.77g, 22 mm). Ref: Broome 172. Bar Hebraeus (1226 – 1286 CE), a bishop of the Syriac church, didn't think much of the Sultan Ḡīāṯ-al-Dīn Kayḵosrow II: "Then the new Sultan GHAYATH AD

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