The Numismatic Chronicle Volume 4 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 Excerpt: ...sufficient, this coin must be transferred to the dated series of Ptolemy I. But this is not all. The coin bears beneath the letters IIT two monograms, which are probably Al or AN and HPA. Upon a specimen of the un-dated coins of Ptolemais, with the inscription IIT. SOTHPOS, described above, the same monograms occur. It is therefore probable that the latter coin must be referred to the period of the dated series of the reign of Ptolemy I. The other like un-dated coins are so evidently of the same time as this, that they must be considered as also exceptional, and struck during the period of dated money. rA. Mr. Eastwood has brought to my notice a didrachm of the mint rA, with the same monogram AN (?), and beneath the date the same letter W, as a didrachm of the year 37 (AM ) of Ptolemy I. (PI. ii. No. 9), but with the date 2 (B) (PI. ii. No. 10). These coins are of especial importance, as positively connecting the dated series of Ptolemy I. with that of Ptolemy II. bearing his father's name and portrait. They also suggest an explanation of the singular circumstance that the coinage of the first Ptolemy should have been continued by the second, with the change from the regnal years of the former to those of the latter. The latest date of Ptolemy I. known to me is 37 (AM ); of this I have only noticed the specimen of rA: I can now add specimens of Tyre and Sidon. This suggests the probability that during the two years that Ptolemy I. survived his virtual abdication, Ptolemy II. forbore to strike coins. On resuming the coinage he would maintain the head of his father, but assert his rights by dating from his succession to absolute power. It may be observed that the only other coins with the inscription IITOAEMAIOY SOTHPO2 known to me, except those with dates abo...