Chalkis in Syria, 85-40 BC., Ptolemy, Æ23, Lindgren 2134A.

Dynasts of Chalkis in Coele-Syria, Ptolemy, son of Mennaeus,
Æ23 / Tetrachalkon (22-23 mm / 7.63 g), 85-40 BC.,
Obv.: Laureate head of Zeus right; circular countermark of bare male head right before.
Rev.: ΠTOΛEMAIOY / TET APXHE / AMX (in monogram) P , Eagle flying right with wreath in beak, behind eagle date: NE (year 55? = 64/63 BC?).
Cf. BMC Galatia, etc. pg. 279, 2. ; cf. Sear 5896 ; Lindgren 2134A ; Lindgren III 1230 .

Chalcis sub Libano (Mejdel ‘Anjar), at the foot of Antilibanus (B. M. C., Galat., p. lxxiii, cf. liv). This city, together with the neighbouring Heliopolis, the valley of the Marsyas and the mountainous region of Ituraea, constituted a Tetrarchy, the whole or portions of which were governed in the first century B.C. by rulers who took the titles of τετρορχης and αρχιερευς. Ptolemy I was succeeded by his son Lysanias, who was put to death by Marc Antony. Antony gave the kingdom to Cleopatra as a gift. The attribution of some of the countermarks to Cleopatra is speculative, but the evidence seems to fit. Countermarked bronzes with the head of Cleopatra are known for Antioch, Chalkis, Seleukia and Laodicea. From B.C. 36 to 30 the dominions of Lysanias were in the hands of Cleopatra. After her death they were farmed by Zenodorus, who, however, in B.C. 24 lost Batanea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis on their being handed over by Augustus to Herod I. He retained Oulatha and Paneas till his death in B.C. 20.