NumisBids
  
Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3105  9 Jan 2023
View prices realized

Lot 32054

Starting price: 7500 USD
Price realized: 16 000 USD
Find similar lots
Share this lot: Share by Email
Ancients
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/268 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.71 gm, 11h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 2/5, brushed. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy II, ca. 253/2 BC. Veiled head of deified Arsinöe II right, wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, scepter surmounted by lotus over left shoulder; Θ in left field, dotted border / APΣINOHΣ-ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia bound with fillet, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates and other fruits, grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; dotted border. CPE 388. Olivier & Lorber dies 1/30, 127 (this coin). Svoronos 460. Mellow flan with light toning.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXV (11 January 2022), lot 522; Stuttgarter Münzauktion I (Gorny & Mosch, 22 November 2010), lot 321

Gold mnaieions were first struck under the enlightened Ptolemy II (282-246 BC), who built the famous Library of Alexandria and towering Pharos lighthouse. In 279 BC, he married his sister, the beautiful and ambitious Arsinöe II, in the manner of the old Egyptian pharaohs. The sibling marriage scandalized Greek society, which gave Arsinöe the nickname Philadelphus, or "brother-lover." Arsinöe embraced the term, making it part of her royal title, and she proudly placed it on her coinage. Arsinöe's regal profile, veiled and crowned with a jeweled coronet, graces the obverse of most Ptolemaic gold octodrachms. The double-cornucopia on the reverse symbolized both Egypt's abundance and the joint rule of Ptolemy and Arsinöe. Gold coins bearing Arsinöe's portrait continued to be struck for centuries after her death in ca. 270/68 BC.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-arsinoe-ii-philadelphus-277-270-268-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-27mm-2771-gm-11h-/a/3105-32054.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3105-01092023

HID02906262019

© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Estimate: 15000-20000 USD
Question about this auction? Contact Heritage World Coin Auctions