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PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos. Died 270/268 BC. AV Mnaïeion – ‘Oktadrachm’ (28mm, 27.79 g, 11h). Alexandreia mint. Struck under Ptolemy II, circa 263/2 or 261/0-255/4 BC. Head right, with ram’s horn, veiled and wearing stephane; lotus-tipped scepter in background, Δ to left / APΣINOHΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia, grape bunches hanging at sides, bound with fillet. CPE 380 (this coin illustrated); Svoronos 434; Olivier & Lorber Δ dies 1/1, 14 (this coin); Troxell, Arsinoe, Group 2, p. 42, and pl. 3, 5 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen –; Hunterian 8 (same dies); Noeske –. In NGC encapsulation 6708803-002, graded Ch XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Fine Style. One of only two known with d control (the other in the Hunterian Museum), this the only example in CoinArchives.
Ex Peh Family Collection (Goldberg 137, 29 January 2024), lot 1046; Goldberg 44 (13 December 2008), lot 3681; Leu 42 (12 May 1987), lot 382.
Arsinoe II, daughter of Ptolemy I and Berenike I, was born in 316 BC. Her early life saw her married off to Lysimachos of Thrace at the age of 15 and then to her half-brother, the brutal Ptolemy Keraunos. She conspired against the latter and was forced to flee circa 280 BC to the protection of Egypt, ruled by her younger full brother, Ptolemy II. Her beauty, charm and intelligence utterly captivated Ptolemy, and, after eliminating his previous wife with an accusation of treason, Arsinoe married her brother, probably about 276 BC. Sibling marriage was traditional among Egyptian royalty but among the Greeks it was known only among deities; thus their union advanced the concept of rulers being worshipped as divinities. Though unscrupulous, Arsinoe proved a capable queen and co-ruler, taking charge of Egypt’s foreign affairs. Her death in 270 or 268 BC was marked by her full deification and a huge outpouring of gold coinage bearing her veiled portrait. The ram’s horn just visible emerging from the veil is a further symbol of her deification, reminiscent of the horn of Ammon on images of the deified Alexander.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 13 May at 9 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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