Watch List notes:

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos. Died 270/268 BC. AV Mnaieion – 'Oktadrachm' (28mm, 27.74 g, 12h). Tyre mint. Dated RY 37 of Ptolemy II (249/8 BC). Head right with ram's horn, veiled and wearing stephanos; lotus-tipped scepter in background / APΣINOHΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia, grape bunches hanging at sides, bound with fillet; ΛZ (date) to lower left; below, Tyre monogram above Θ. Svoronos –; Troxell, Arsinoe, p. 51, 7 = Benha 16 (this coin); DCA 9. Good VF, small mark on obverse, light marks in field on reverse (to remove graffiti). Extremely rare, one of only three year 37 coins noted by Troxell, two in CoinArchives (including the present coin). Much better condition than the Stack's Bowers and Ponterio 173 example that realized $5500.


From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 29 (11 May 2005), lot 236 (with graffiti visible); 1964 Benha Hoard (IGCH 1694).