Mnaieion or Oktadrachm. Greek Coins. Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt. Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II. 254/3-253/2 BC. Alexandria. Veiled head of Arsinoe II to right, wearing stephane; lotos-tipped scepter in background; to left, Θ. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae bound with fillet and with two grape bunches hanging at sides. Slightly cleaned. Rare. Daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I, Arsinoe II was one of the most prominent figures of the first generation of Ptolemaic rulers. Following her marriages to Lysimachus of Thrace and Ptolemy Ceraunus, she returned to Egypt, where she married her brother Ptolemy II around 273–272 BC. Both adopted the epithet Philadelphoi (“sibling-loving”), establishing a tradition of great significance for Ptolemaic dynastic ideology. Arsinoe exercised considerable political influence and, after her death, was deified and became the object of a dynastic cult. The coinage issued in her memory reflects the use of coins as instruments of propaganda and dynastic legitimization. Her refined portrait, with its serene expression, features an elaborate hairstyle and a veil beneath which emerges a ram's horn, a divine attribute associated with Ammon and Alexander the Great. The reverse, featuring intertwined cornucopias, symbolizes abundance and prosperity. This rich iconography makes the coinage of Arsinoe II one of the most representative examples of the glorification of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the divine status of its rulers. Almost XF. Svoronos. 460, pl. 15, 12. Sng Cop. 134. CPE. 388. Au. 27,61.

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Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt. Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II. Mnaieion or Oktadrachm. 254/3-253/2 BC. Alexandria. (Svoronos-460, pl. 15, 12). (Sng Cop-134). (CPE-388). Anv.: Veiled head of Arsinoe II to right, wearing stephane; lotos-tipped scepter in background; to left, Θ. Rev.: ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae bound with fillet and with two grape bunches hanging at sides. Au. 27,61 g. Slightly cleaned. Rare.

Daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I, Arsinoe II was one of the most prominent figures of the first generation of Ptolemaic rulers. Following her marriages to Lysimachus of Thrace and Ptolemy Ceraunus, she returned to Egypt, where she married her brother Ptolemy II around 273-272 BC. Both adopted the epithet Philadelphoi (“sibling-loving”), establishing a tradition of great significance for Ptolemaic dynastic ideology.

Arsinoe exercised considerable political influence and, after her death, was deified and became the object of a dynastic cult. The coinage issued in her memory reflects the use of coins as instruments of propaganda and dynastic legitimization. Her refined portrait, with its serene expression, features an elaborate hairstyle and a veil beneath which emerges a ram's horn, a divine attribute associated with Ammon and Alexander the Great.

The reverse, featuring intertwined cornucopias, symbolizes abundance and prosperity. This rich iconography makes the coinage of Arsinoe II one of the most representative examples of the glorification of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the divine status of its rulers. Almost XF. Est...8000,00.

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Lot 1040 | Greek Coins

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