LAGID KINGDOM - Lot 608

LAGID KINGDOM Ptolemy II and his wife Arsinoe II 283-246 AΔEΛΦΩN above the adjoining busts on the right of Ptolemy II, diademed and draped, and his wife Arsinoe II, diademed and veiled, on the right. Behind the neck, a shield. R/. ΘEΩN above the conjoined busts on the right of Ptolemy I, diademed and draped, and his wife Berenice, diademed and veiled, on the right. ♦ Svoronos 603; SNG Cop.132 Gold octodrachm or "mnaieion" minted in Alexandria in 272-270. Brooch-mounted coin with four claws on a swivel axis in an art nouveau-style surround depicting an eagle, wings outstretched, and lotus flowers. Jewel weight: 47.61 g (coin weight around 27.75 g). High-relief portraits. Traces of field rubbing and handling. Rare coin. Very beautiful. Provenance, according to family tradition: Alfred, baron ISSAVERDENS (1839-1918), then by descent. Ptolemy II Philadelphus was the second king of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. He is known for consolidating the kingdom inherited from his father, Ptolemy I, general and successor to Alexander III the Great. He was the first ruler to be crowned pharaoh by Egyptian priests according to traditional rites. Ptolemy II also waged wars against Antiochus I and married his sister, Arsinoe II, after repudiating his first wife. CV