ORC6221 Ptolemy XII tetr. 52/51 BC aEF

Egypt, Ptolemy XII, AR tetradrachm, (13.82g) dated Year 29 = 52/51 BC,
Paphos Mint, Diademed head of Ptolemy XII right, aegis at neck. /
RTOLEMAIOY BASILEWS Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, LKŲ before, RA
behind. Svor. 1839. Near EF

Tetradrachms of the later Ptolemies all have similar types. 
The obverse features a diademed head facing right, with a 
strong chin, usually wearing an aegis at the neck. Die axis 
is generally 12:00. The reverse says BASILEWS PTOLEMAIOY.
To the left of the eagle are the date: La or Laa, e.g. LB 
or LIB. To the right of the eagle is the mintmark PA, for 
Paphos.

After the restoration of Ptolemy XII, an elaborate hairstyle 
gave a certain charm to the head of Ptolemy. It consisted of 
several sharply separated rows of locks arranged 
alternately, and placed in tiers, one above the other.

With the renewed issues of [Ptolemy VI] Philometor in Cyprus, the hair has become inordinately curly, the
nose longer, thinner, sharper, the eye a mere dot and not 
so deeply sunk as before. Only the projecting chin is still 
that of [Ptolemy I] Soter.