Lot 2238

Description

Egypt, Kingdom of Cleopatra VII, (51-30 B.C.), AE 22, copper forty drachma, (10.59 grams), Alexandria mint, obv. diademed bust of Cleopatra VII to right, rev. eagle with closed wings, standing on thunderbolt, cornucopiae to left, to right M, around [K]LEOPAT[RAS BASILISSHS], (S.7956, Sv.1872, SNG Cop.422). Very good and rare.

This and the eighty drachma are the only issues from Egypt with a portrait of the famous and historical queen Cleopatra who was the wife of Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony. 480 bronze drachmas were the equivalent of one silver drachm at this time consequently this copper forty drachma piece circulated as a hemiobol.