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An Excessively Rare Greek Gold Didrachm of Quarter Mnaieia of the Ptolemaic King Ptolemy II Philadelphos, with Arsinoe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenike I
An Excessively Rare Greek Gold Didrachm of Quarter Mnaieia of the Ptolemaic King Ptolemy II Philadelphos, with Arsinoe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenike I

EGYPT
Ptolemy II Philadelphos, with Arsinöe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenike I, 285-246 BC. Didrachm, or Quarter Mnaieia (Gold, 16mm, 6.95 g 12), Alexandria, after 265. ΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ Jugate busts of Ptolemy II, diademed and draped, and Arsinoe II, diademed and veiled, to right; behind, Gallic shield. Rev. ΘΕΩΝ Jugate busts of Ptolemy I, diademed and wearing aegis, and Berenike I, diademed and veiled, to right. Olivier & Lorber 393 (same dies). Svoronos 605. A coin of the greatest rarity, one of only seven known examples. Very attractive and well struck. Extremely fine. From the Chrysos Collection, acquired in Geneva in 1980. While the larger pieces of this series, the octadrachms and tetradrachms (more correctly termed Mnaieia and Pentekontadrachmai/Half Mnaieia), are common enough, the smaller pieces, as the Quarter Mnaieia here (Sv. 605) or the Eighth (Sv. 606), are astoundingly rare. While the larger pieces must have had a recognized commercial function, the smaller ones must have had a more ceremonial character, perhaps primarily for donatives.

NOMOS13, 240

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Taken on: September 8, 2016
Groups appears in:   • Strictly Ptolemaic   
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An Excessively Rare Greek Gold Didrachm of Quarter Mnaieia of the Ptolemaic King Ptolemy II Philadelphos, with Arsinoe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenike I

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