Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3056 3 Aug 2017
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PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octadrachm (28mm, 27.74 gm, 12h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV Philopator (221-204 BC). Bust of Ptolemy III right, radiate, diademed, draped and wearing aegis, trident-head over left shoulder, the central prong adorned with lotus finial / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ, radiate and filleted cornucopia, ΔI below. Svoronos 1117. SNG Copenhagen 196. Scattered die rust, otherwise an impressive piece struck on a broad flan.
The epithet Euergetes means "benefactor," bestowed for his support of the many religious cults of Hellenistic Egypt. This backing took the form of financial contributions, royal decrees, and the building of temples and shrines throughout the kingdom. He was particularly generous to the native Egyptian cults, which had been somewhat neglected by his Ptolemaic predecessors in favor of Greek "fusion" deities like Sarapis and Zeus-Ammon. An inscription called the "Canopus Decree," dated 238 BC, takes the form of a letter from the Egyptian priesthood praising Ptolemy III and his wife Berenice as "benefactor gods" for their support of Egyptian religion, as well as for their "good governance" and generosity.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 10000-13000 USD
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octadrachm (28mm, 27.74 gm, 12h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV Philopator (221-204 BC). Bust of Ptolemy III right, radiate, diademed, draped and wearing aegis, trident-head over left shoulder, the central prong adorned with lotus finial / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ, radiate and filleted cornucopia, ΔI below. Svoronos 1117. SNG Copenhagen 196. Scattered die rust, otherwise an impressive piece struck on a broad flan.
The epithet Euergetes means "benefactor," bestowed for his support of the many religious cults of Hellenistic Egypt. This backing took the form of financial contributions, royal decrees, and the building of temples and shrines throughout the kingdom. He was particularly generous to the native Egyptian cults, which had been somewhat neglected by his Ptolemaic predecessors in favor of Greek "fusion" deities like Sarapis and Zeus-Ammon. An inscription called the "Canopus Decree," dated 238 BC, takes the form of a letter from the Egyptian priesthood praising Ptolemy III and his wife Berenice as "benefactor gods" for their support of Egyptian religion, as well as for their "good governance" and generosity.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 10000-13000 USD