PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285/4-246 BC), with Arsinöe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenice I. AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.67 gm, 12h). NGC AU S 5/5 - 5/5. Alexandria, ca. 285-272 BC. AΔEΛΦΩN, jugate busts right of Ptolemy II and Arsinöe II; Ptolemy is diademed and draped, Arsinöe is diademed and veiled, Galatian shield to left, dotted border / ΘEΩN, jugate busts right of Ptolemy I and Berenice I; Ptolemy is diademed and draped, Berenice is diademed and veiled, dotted border. CPE 313. Svoronos 603. Well struck on mellow flan with hints of luster. Free of the typical types of marks often found on these large and impressive gold coins. The first mnaieions carried four royal portraits: Ptolemy II and his sister-wife on the obverse with the epithet adelphon ("sibling lovers"), backed with the portraits of his parents, Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I, now identified as theon ("gods").

HID09801242017

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