Gold Octadrachm, Alexandria, post-265 BCE

Gold Octadrachm, Alexandria, after 265 BCE; Reverse: Heads of Ptolemy I and Berenice I. Inscription ΘΕΩΝ (“THEON” = “of gods”).
Unidentified Artist, Alexandrian

Type/Object Name: Ob: Heads of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II. Inscription ΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ (“ADELPHON” = “of siblings”). | Re: Reverse: Heads of Ptolemy I and Berenice I. Inscription ΘΕΩΝ (“THEON” = “of gods”). 

Dates: post-265 BCE

Medium: Gold, Octradrachm 

Dimensions: Diameter 26.7 mm, Weight 27.7292 g

Credit Line: Courtesy of John Nebel

Notes: Egypt and the Coming of Rome

This gold coin of Ptolemy II makes dynastic claims. The obverse shows the heads of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II, his sister and wife. The Greek inscription means “of siblings.” It was common in Egyptian history and mythology for kings to marry their sisters, including the divine siblings, Isis and Osiris. Therefore, Ptolemy’s marriage to Arsinoe legitimized him as an Egyptian ruler. The reverse of the coin portrays the heads of their parents, Ptolemy I and Berenice I, with the inscription “of gods.” Ptolemy II used the coin to claim the divinity of his parents, thus emphasizing the legitimacy of his own and his sister’s rule.

Collection: Coin, John Nebel

Bibliography: Svoronos, J. N. 1904. Ta Nomismata tou Kratous ton Ptolemaion, Meros Deuteron. Page 89 #603 and Plate XIV #15-17. Athens: P. D. Sakellariou; 1977. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals Danish National Museum. Part 40. Egypt: The Ptolemies. #132. Copenhagen: Munksgaard; Poole, Reginald Stuart. 1883. Catalogue of Greek Coins. The Ptolemies, Kings of Egypt.Page 40 #2 and Plate VII #2. London: The Trustees of the British Museum.