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Ancient Greek Coinage
I
MPRESSIVE
G
OLD
O
CTADRACHM OF
A
RSINÖE
1932
Ptolemaic Kingdom. Arsinöe II, wife of Ptolemy II. Died 270 BC. Gold Octadrachm (27.77g)
.
Struck at Alexandria, under Ptolemy
VI-VIII, ca. 170-116 BC
. Diademed and veiled head of Arsinöe II facing right; above, tip of a lotus scepter; behind, K.
Reverse:
Double cor-
nucopiae bound with fillet. Svoronos 1498-9; Troxell p. 67, 8. SNG Copenhagen 321-2. Scratches and marks in the fields, slightly wavy flan.
Very Fine
.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $5,000 - 6,000
G
ORGEOUS
G
OLD
O
CTADRACHM OF
P
TOLEMY
III,
CA
. 221-205 BC
Enlargement
1933
Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy III Euergetes. Gold Mnaieion (27.80 g), 246-222 BC
. Alexandria, under Ptolemy IV, 221-205 BC. Bust
of the deified Ptolemy III right, wearing radiate diadem and aegis; trident over left shoulder, middle prong ends in a lotus finial.
Reverse:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
, radiate cornucopiae bound with fillet; below,
ΔΙ
. Svoronos 1117; SNG Copenhagen 196. Underlying luster.
Superb Extremely Fine
.
A popular king who conquered the Seleukids shortly after ascending the throne, this commemorative octadrachm, or mnaieon, was struck
posthumously for Ptolemy III by his son, Ptolemy IV who succeeded him in 221 BC. The obverse is a syncretic representation of the monarch
as lord of the heavens, the seas, and the earth: his radiate crown is an attribute of the son-god Helios, while the aegis he wears for protection
is an attribute of Zeus and the trident carried over his shoulder represents Poseidon. The cornucopiae depicted on the reverse recalls the fer-
tility and wealth of Egypt.
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................... $18,000 - 20,000
1934
Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy IV Philopator. Æ (67.95 g),
222-205/4 BC
. Alexandria. Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon
right.
Reverse:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
, eagle standing left
on thunderbolt; in left field, filleted cornucopiae; between legs,
Δ
I. Svoronos 1125; SNG Copenhagen 199. Brown patina.
Choice Very Fine
.
Estimated Value ................................................... $300 - 350
1935
Ptolemaic Kingdom. Ptolemy VI Philometor. Æ 28 mm
(14.86 g), second reign, 163-145 BC
. Alexandria. Head of
Isis right, wreathed with grain ears.
Reverse:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ
, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; in left field,
ΠΑ
monogram. Svoronos 1384; SNG Copenhagen 279-87.
Pleasing milk chocolate brown patina.
Choice Very Fine
.
Estimated Value ................................................... $250 - 300