This fleshy fellow is Ptolemy III Euergetes (pharaoh of Egypt from 246-222) and the portrait on this massive coin (an octadrachm) sees him positively bristling with royal and divine attributes.
The radiate crown evokes Helios, and the scaly aegis recalls Zeus, Athena and the divinized Alexander. The trident slung over his shoulder is a clear nod to Poseidon while its fancy central prong with lotus bud finial recalls the sceptre wielded by his formidable mother in her coin portraits.
Minted posthumously by his dissolute son, the issue was likely meant to shore up support in difficult times. The message was clear: a proclamation of dynastic dominion over land and sea. Combined with general pudgitude and hereditary bug-eyes, it’s quite a look to these modern eyes!
