Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Hellenistic Egypt, is one of the most—if not the most—recognizable women of antiquity. Known for her extraordinary beauty and intellect, she captivated two great commanders of the Roman Republic—Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After the defeat at the Battle of Actium, she committed suicide along with her second husband; according to legend, she allowed a venomous snake to bite her.
Obverse: A bust of Ptolemy wearing a diadem and an aegis around his neck, facing right.
Reverse: An eagle standing on a bundle of lightning bolts, facing left; in the left field, the date LIΔ (14th year of reign = 39/8 CE); in the right field, ΠΑ; along the rim, the legend ΠTOΛEMOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ
Silver, diameter 26.5 mm, weight 12.02 g.
