Egypt, Ptolemaic Kingdom Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Arsinoe II Philadelphos 1 Octodrachm

History

1 Octodrachm 242-241 BC, Svoronos# 1032, Egypt, Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, Arsinoe II Philadelphos

Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions

Description

The Ptolemaic Kingdom was an Ancient Greek state based in Egypt during the Hellenistic Period. It was founded in 305 BC by Ptolemy I Soter, a companion of Alexander the Great, and lasted until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC. Ruling for nearly three centuries, the Ptolemies were the longest and most recent Egyptian dynasty of ancient origin.

Gold Mnaieions were first struck under the enlightened Ptolemy II Philadelphus (282-246 BC). Gold coins bearing Arsinoe II's portrait continued to be struck for centuries after her death in 271 BC.

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Arsinoe II Philadelphos Depicts veiled head of Arsinöe II right, with ram's horn, wearing diademed stephane; sceptre surmounted by lotus in the background, dotted border. Arsinoe II (316 BC – unknown date between July 270 and 260 BC) was a Ptolemaic queen and co-regent of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of ancient Egypt. She was given the Egyptian title "King of Upper and Lower Egypt", making her pharaoh as well. Arsinoe was Queen of Thrace, Anatolia, and Macedonia by marriage to King Lysimachus. She became co-ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom upon her marriage to her brother, Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
Reverse	Symbol, amulet, talisman Cornucopia Depicts double cornucopia bound with fillet, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates and other fruits, grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; C (date) in inner left field, ΣI above HΛ monogram below, dotted border. The double cornucopia symbolized both Egypt's abundance and the joint rule of Ptolemy and Arsinoe II. APΣINOHΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY ΣI HΛ
Edge	Plain