Obv: Head of Ptolemy I right. Rev: Eagle standing facing left. Metal: Silver 14.7 grams, 27 mm diameter. Condition: EF

After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, his general Ptolemy received Egypt as part of the division of the Empire. For the first 18 years of his rule he served as Satrap of Eqypt and issued coins in the style of Alexander the great, but in 305 BC Ptolemy declared himself King and began to issue coins with his own portrait. This was one of the first times in history that a living man had his portrait put on a coin.