---
title: Elephant Symbolism on the Coins of Ptolemy I
author: Branko van Oppen
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10578/elephant-symbolism-on-the-coins-of-ptolemy-i/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Elephant Symbolism on the Coins of Ptolemy I

_Authored by [Branko van Oppen](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/bvoppen/)_

## Image File

[![Elephant Symbolism on the Coins of Ptolemy I](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10578.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10578.jpg)

## Image Caption

Two coins issued by [Ptolemy I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_I/): 1) A portrait of the deified [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) wearing an elephant scalp on his head, with a ram’s horn over his [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/), and an aegis (sacred fleece) over his shoulder; on the reverse [Athena](https://www.worldhistory.org/athena/) Alcidemus, the patroness of Pella [Silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) tetradrachm, [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/), c. 312/1-305 BCE; Nomos no. 12, lot 120. 2) A portrait of [Ptolemy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemy/) with diadēma (royal headband) and aegis; on the reverse a deified [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) holding a thunderbolt and scepter standing in a [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) drawn by four elephants [Gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) stater, [Cyrene](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyrene/) or Alexandria, c. 305/4-298 BCE; CNG no. 84, lot 751.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Branko van Oppen is an exhibition curator and independent scholar specialized in Ptolemaic queenship as well as Hellenistic art and ideology.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/bf.vanoppen)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvoppen/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Oppen, B. v. (2019, May 10). Elephant Symbolism on the Coins of Ptolemy I. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10578/elephant-symbolism-on-the-coins-of-ptolemy-i/>
### Chicago
Oppen, Branko van. "Elephant Symbolism on the Coins of Ptolemy I." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 10, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10578/elephant-symbolism-on-the-coins-of-ptolemy-i/>.
### MLA
Oppen, Branko van. "Elephant Symbolism on the Coins of Ptolemy I." *World History Encyclopedia*, 10 May 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10578/elephant-symbolism-on-the-coins-of-ptolemy-i/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Branko van Oppen](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/bvoppen/ "User Page: Branko van Oppen"), published on 10 May 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.