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Long Beach Signature Sale 3076 5-6 & 9 Sep 2019
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Ancients
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (26mm, 27.84 gm, 12h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5, ex-jewelry. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV, ca. 219-217 BC. Bust of deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis, trident over left shoulder, the central tine ornamented with lotus finial; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, cornucopia bound with radiate royal diadem, containing grain ear, pyramidal cake and pomegranate, grape cluster hanging from left side; ΔI below, dotted border. CPE 888. Svoronos 1117.
The buying power of one gold mnaieion was enormous and unprecedented, roughly $4,000 in today's currency. No other kingdom or empire in the ancient world could produce such large gold coins, and this display of economic clout drew thousands of mercenary soldiers into Egypt's service. This large and powerful army was put to maximum use by the third king of the Ptolemaic dynasty, Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). Shortly after inheriting the throne of the Pharaohs, he launched a massive invasion of the neighboring Seleucid Kingdom of Syria. Easily crushing all resistance, he even reached Babylon, where he proclaimed himself King of Kings. Ptolemy III's powerful portrait appears on gold mnaieions struck by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, who succeeded him in 221 BC.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-iii-euergetes-246-222-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-26mm-2784-gm-12h-ngc-ch/a/3076-30207.s?type=CoinArchives3076
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (26mm, 27.84 gm, 12h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 3/5, ex-jewelry. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV, ca. 219-217 BC. Bust of deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis, trident over left shoulder, the central tine ornamented with lotus finial; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, cornucopia bound with radiate royal diadem, containing grain ear, pyramidal cake and pomegranate, grape cluster hanging from left side; ΔI below, dotted border. CPE 888. Svoronos 1117.
The buying power of one gold mnaieion was enormous and unprecedented, roughly $4,000 in today's currency. No other kingdom or empire in the ancient world could produce such large gold coins, and this display of economic clout drew thousands of mercenary soldiers into Egypt's service. This large and powerful army was put to maximum use by the third king of the Ptolemaic dynasty, Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-222 BC). Shortly after inheriting the throne of the Pharaohs, he launched a massive invasion of the neighboring Seleucid Kingdom of Syria. Easily crushing all resistance, he even reached Babylon, where he proclaimed himself King of Kings. Ptolemy III's powerful portrait appears on gold mnaieions struck by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, who succeeded him in 221 BC.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-ptolemy-iii-euergetes-246-222-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-26mm-2784-gm-12h-ngc-ch/a/3076-30207.s?type=CoinArchives3076
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD