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| Heritage World Coin Auctions > ANA Signature Sale 3135 | Auction date: 1 September 2026 |
| Lot number: 30051 Price realized: 110,000 USD (Approx. 94,853 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Berenice II Euergetis (267/266-221 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.87 gm, 11h). NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Ptolemaic standard. Posthumous issue under Ptolemy IV (222-204 BC), ca. 211/210 BC. Veiled, diademed, and draped bust of Berenice II right, seen from front / ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ-ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ, cornucopia bound with royal diadem, containing grape cluster hanging from rim, pomegranate, pyramidal cake, and grain ear; dotted border. CPE 895. Svoronos 1113. SNG Copenhagen 169. Elegant and graceful portrait rendered in Fine Style dies. From the Randy & Nancy Best Collection. One of the most formidable Ptolemaic queens, Berenice II's family background was unusually convoluted and bloody even by Macedonian standards. Born in 267 BC, she was the daughter of the Cyrenaican king Magas and his wife Apama. In 249 BC, upon the death of Magas her mother married her off to Demetrius the Fair, son of Demetrius Poliorcetes, who was invited to become king of Cyrenaica. Demetrius, however, was more interested in Apama than her daughter and, catching him in her mother's bed, Berenice stabbed him to death. Despite this, her legendary beauty prompted Ptolemy III of Egypt to marry her in 244/3 BC and the duo became the foremost "power couple" in the world. Berenice appears to have ruled Egypt quite capably during her husband's long campaigns of conquest. During one such campaign she cut off her hair and dedicated it to Aphrodite for her husband's safe return. The hair mysteriously disappeared and was "discovered" in the heavens forming the constellation Coma Berenices. The tale entered legend as "The Lock of Berenice." She had six children, one of whom, Ptolemy IV, succeeded to the throne in 221 BC. Berenice originally ruled jointly with him but was soon murdered, probably at the instigation of her son. Gold and silver coins were minted in her name on both the Ptolemaic and Macedonian standards. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/greek-ptolemaic-egypt-berenice-ii-euergetis-267-266-221-bc-av-mnaieion-or-octodrachm-27mm-2787-gm-11h-ngc-a/a/3135-30051.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3135-09012026 HID02906262019 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Certification number: NGC 8748629002 |  |
