Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3061 7-8 Jan 2018
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PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II, Deified (after 270 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (29mm, 27.67 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 2/5, edge damaged. Posthumous issue of Alexandria under Ptolemy VI-VIII, after 193/2 BC. Veiled head of the deified Arsinoe II right (with features of Cleopatra II?), wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, lotus scepter over far shoulder, K behind / ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, double cornucopia bound with fringed diadem. Svoronos 1498. SNG Copenhagen 322. Edges on both sides beveled, surfaces a little buffed, otherwise an impressive and attractive piece.
It has been speculated that the later K-type mnaieions issued during the reigns of Ptolemy VI through VIII feature a "disguised" portrait of Cleopatra II, who was the sister and later wife of both brothers. If such is the case, the K behind the head could refer to Kleopatra (on the original issues of Ptolemy II-III, from which the later issues were copied, the K was one of several letters used to designate obverse dies). Certainly the portrait on these later issues bears little resemblance to the face of Arsinoe II found on the gold pieces minted closer to her lifetime.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 7000-9000 USD
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II, Deified (after 270 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (29mm, 27.67 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 2/5, edge damaged. Posthumous issue of Alexandria under Ptolemy VI-VIII, after 193/2 BC. Veiled head of the deified Arsinoe II right (with features of Cleopatra II?), wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, lotus scepter over far shoulder, K behind / ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, double cornucopia bound with fringed diadem. Svoronos 1498. SNG Copenhagen 322. Edges on both sides beveled, surfaces a little buffed, otherwise an impressive and attractive piece.
It has been speculated that the later K-type mnaieions issued during the reigns of Ptolemy VI through VIII feature a "disguised" portrait of Cleopatra II, who was the sister and later wife of both brothers. If such is the case, the K behind the head could refer to Kleopatra (on the original issues of Ptolemy II-III, from which the later issues were copied, the K was one of several letters used to designate obverse dies). Certainly the portrait on these later issues bears little resemblance to the face of Arsinoe II found on the gold pieces minted closer to her lifetime.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 7000-9000 USD