| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > January 2024 NYINC Auction | Auction date: 12 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 50083 Price realized: 19,000 USD (Approx. 17,326 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos, Died 270/268 B.C. AV Mnaïeion ("Oktadrachm") (27.72 gms), Alexandreia Mint, struck under Ptolemy II, circa 254/3-253/2 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style. CPE-388; Svor-460; SNG Cop-134. Obverse: Head right with ram's horn, veiled and wearing stephanos; lotus-tipped scepter in background, Θ to left; Reverse: Filleted double cornucopia, with grape bunches hanging at sides. A colossal gold offering, this specimen emanates from a vast series issued upon the death of Arsinoe. So revered was she by her husband (and brother), Ptolemy II, that she was enshrined numismatically though these well rendered denominations. The present example yields a well centered strike and enchanting portrait of the deceased queen, with tremendous dazzling brilliance remaining in the protected areas. Estimate: $15000 - $25000 |  |
Match 1:
| Stack's Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio) > January 2024 NYINC Auction | Auction date: 12 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 50084 Price realized: 19,000 USD (Approx. 17,326 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos, Died 270/68 B.C. AV Mnaïeion ("Oktadrachm") (27.72 gms), Alexandreia Mint, struck under Ptolemy II, circa 253/2-246 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style. CPE-388; Svor-460; SNG Cop-134. Obverse: Head right with ram's horn, veiled and wearing stephanos; lotus-tipped scepter in background, Θ to left; Reverse: Filleted double cornucopia, with grape bunches hanging at sides. Offering alluring relief and a great deal of lustrous brilliance remaining in the fields, this stately representative is an elevated example from a highly popular series. Estimate: $15000 - $20000 |  |
Match 2:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31026 Price realized: To Be Posted | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/268 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (29mm, 27.89 gm, 11h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 2/5, ex-jewelry, scratches. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy VI-VIII, after 193/2 BC. Veiled head of deified Arsinöe II right, wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, scepter surmounted by lotus over left shoulder; K in left field, dotted border / APΣINOHΣ-ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia bound with royal diadem, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates, and other fruits, grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; dotted border. Svoronos 1498-1499. SNG Copenhagen 321-322. Brilliant sun-gold surfaces, the arresting portrait in high relief on a substantial flan. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 121 (6 October 2022), lot 585; Freeman & Sear, private sale with old dealer's tag included; Hirsch XVI (6 December 1906), lot 691. It has been speculated that the later K-type mnaieions issued during the reigns of Ptolemy VI through VIII feature a disguised portrait of Cleopatra II, who was the sister and later wife of both brothers. If such is the case, the K behind the head could refer to Kleopatra (on the original issues of Ptolemy II-III, from which the later issues were copied, the K was one of several letters used to designate obverse dies). Certainly the portrait on these later issues bears little resemblance to the face of Arsinoë II found on the gold pieces minted closer to her lifetime. Whether or not these pieces do bear portraits of concurrent figures, it is a historical fact that the strongest of the later Ptolemaic rulers invariably were women, including the last of the line, Cleopatra VII. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-arsinoe-ii-philadelphus-277-270-268-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-29mm-2789-gm-11h-/a/3115-31026.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 12000-15000 USD |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31036 Price realized: 20,000 USD (Approx. 18,232 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/268 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.75 gm, 12h). NGC XF 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy II, ca. 253/2 BC. Veiled head of deified Arsinöe II right, wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, scepter surmounted by lotus over left shoulder; Θ in left field, dotted border / APΣINOHΣ-ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia bound with fillet, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates, and other fruits, grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; dotted border. CPE 388. Svoronos 460. Delicate, Fine Style artistry displayed on a bright flan with flashes of reflective luster. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 54 (24 March 2010), lot 141. Gold mnaieions were first struck under the enlightened Ptolemy II (282-246 BC), who built the famous Library of Alexandria and towering Pharos lighthouse. In 279 BC, he married his sister, the beautiful and ambitious Arsinöe II, in the manner of the old Egyptian pharaohs. The sibling marriage scandalized Greek society, which gave Arsinöe the nickname Philadelphus, or "brother-lover." Arsinöe embraced the term, making it part of her royal title, and she proudly placed it on her coinage. Arsinöe's regal profile, veiled and crowned with a jeweled coronet, graces the obverse of most Ptolemaic gold octodrachms. The double-cornucopia on the reverse symbolized both Egypt's abundance and the joint rule of Ptolemy and Arsinöe. Gold coins bearing Arsinöe's portrait continued to be struck for centuries after her death in ca. 270/68 BC. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-arsinoe-ii-philadelphus-277-270-268-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-27mm-2775-gm-12h-/a/3113-31036.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 15000-20000 USD |  |
Match 4:
| Classical Numismatic Group > Triton XXVII | Auction date: 9 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 378 Price realized: 18,000 USD (Approx. 16,486 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Arsinoe II Philadelphos. Died 270/268 BC. AV Half Mnaïeion – 'Tetradrachm' (21.5mm, 14.04 g, 11h). Alexandreia mint. Struck under Ptolemy VI, circa 180-145 BC. Head right with ram's horn, veiled and wearing stephane; lotus-tipped scepter in background, K to left / APΣINOHΣ ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia, grape bunches hanging at sides, bound with fillet. Olivier Group 2, 3384 (D14/R21) = SNG Lockett 3446 = Bement 1860 (this coin); Svoronos 1500; SNG Copenhagen –; BMC 40; Boston MFA –; Consul Weber 4511; Hirsch 1829; Gulbenkian 1085; Hunterian p. 391, 5; De Luynes 3599; Noeske –. In NGC encapsulation 5785794-004, graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5, smoothing. Two small cuts on obverse, visible in Bement and Lockett catalogs, previously repaired, but not noted on the NGC slab (the smoothed areas they note correspond to the repairs). Ex Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Greek Part IV, Glendining, 21 February 1961), lot 2828; Clarence S. Bement Collection (Part II, Naville VII, 23 June 1924), lot 1860, acquired from Sir Hermann Weber (†1918). Estimate: 20000 USD |  |
Match 5:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 30057 Price realized: 32,000 USD (Approx. 29,171 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/268 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (29mm, 27.62 gm, 11h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5, brushed. Posthumous issue of Alexandria, under Ptolemy VI-VIII, after 193/2 BC. Veiled head of deified Arsinöe II right, wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, scepter surmounted by lotus over left shoulder; K in left field, dotted border / APΣINOHΣ-ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia bound with fillet, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates, and other fruits, grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; dotted border. Svoronos 1498-1499. SNG Copenhagen 321-322. Stunningly well-struck from mountainously high-relief dies on a fully lustrous flan. This coin will make even non-collectors stop to admire the size and beauty of this ostentatious denomination. From the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, private sale (15 January 2009), Nomos 89; Arthur J. Frank Collection; Abe Kosoff, Fixed Price List (1965), lot 87; Furthman Collection; Bauer Collection. It has been speculated that the later K-type mnaieions issued during the reigns of Ptolemy VI through VIII feature a disguised portrait of Cleopatra II, who was the sister and later wife of both brothers. If such is the case, the K behind the head could refer to Kleopatra (on the original issues of Ptolemy II-III, from which the later issues were copied, the K was one of several letters used to designate obverse dies). Certainly the portrait on these later issues bears little resemblance to the face of Arsinoë II found on the gold pieces minted closer to her lifetime. Whether or not these pieces do bear portraits of concurrent figures, it is a historical fact that the strongest of the later Ptolemaic rulers invariably were women, including the last of the line, Cleopatra VII. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ptolemaic-egypt-arsinoe-ii-philadelphus-277-270-268-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-29mm-2762-gm-11h-/a/3113-30057.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 25000-35000 USD |  |
