Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3061 7-8 Jan 2018
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PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 BC), with Arsinoe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenice I. AV half-mnaieion or tetradrachm (20mm, 13.93 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Alexandria, dated Year 1 (of deification?), ca. 271/0 BC. Jugate busts of Ptolemy II, draped and diademed, and Arsinoe II, diademed and veiled, right; AΔEΛΦΩN above, date (?) A above Gallic shield behind / Jugate busts of Ptolemy I, diademed and draped, and Berenice, diademed and veiled, right; ΘEΩN above. Svoronos 614. Extremely rare dated issue! Well struck on a round flan from dies engraved by a masterful hand, with a "matte proof" appearance.
The "Theon / Adelphon" gold coinage of Ptolemy II comes in several denominations, including the huge mnaieion, weighing nearly an ounce (see previous two lots); its half, of which this and the next lots comprise excellent examples; and a gold quarter-mnaieion or didrachm, weighing about 7 grams. The half-mnaieion offered here carries additional interest due to the letter A above the mint symbol (Gallic shield) behind the heads of the royal couple on the obverse. Svoronos notes this variety as no. 614, with only four examples cited (versus 47 examples cited for the non-letter variety, 604). He refers to the letter series as a "Control letter ("Date")" and suggests the letter A is for the year 271/0 BC, perhaps marking the death and apotheosis of Arisnoe II.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 7000-9000 USD
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 BC), with Arsinoe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenice I. AV half-mnaieion or tetradrachm (20mm, 13.93 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Alexandria, dated Year 1 (of deification?), ca. 271/0 BC. Jugate busts of Ptolemy II, draped and diademed, and Arsinoe II, diademed and veiled, right; AΔEΛΦΩN above, date (?) A above Gallic shield behind / Jugate busts of Ptolemy I, diademed and draped, and Berenice, diademed and veiled, right; ΘEΩN above. Svoronos 614. Extremely rare dated issue! Well struck on a round flan from dies engraved by a masterful hand, with a "matte proof" appearance.
The "Theon / Adelphon" gold coinage of Ptolemy II comes in several denominations, including the huge mnaieion, weighing nearly an ounce (see previous two lots); its half, of which this and the next lots comprise excellent examples; and a gold quarter-mnaieion or didrachm, weighing about 7 grams. The half-mnaieion offered here carries additional interest due to the letter A above the mint symbol (Gallic shield) behind the heads of the royal couple on the obverse. Svoronos notes this variety as no. 614, with only four examples cited (versus 47 examples cited for the non-letter variety, 604). He refers to the letter series as a "Control letter ("Date")" and suggests the letter A is for the year 271/0 BC, perhaps marking the death and apotheosis of Arisnoe II.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 7000-9000 USD