Gold Octadrachm, Alexandria, 253/2-246 BCE

Gold Octadrachm, Alexandria, 253/2-246 BCE; Reverse: Double cornucopia. Inscription ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ (“ARSINOES PHILADELPHOU” = “of Arsinoe Philadelphos”).
Unidentified Artist, Alexandrian

Type/Object Name: Ob: Posthumous image of Arsinoe II with horn of Zeus Ammon below ear. Inscription 螞 (鈥淟鈥 = a die sequence letter). | Re: Double cornucopia. Inscription 螒巍危螜螡螣螚危 桅螜螞螒螖螘螞桅螣违 (鈥淎RSINOES PHILADELPHOU鈥 = 鈥渙f Arsinoe Philadelphos鈥).聽

Dates: 253/2-246 BCE

Medium: Gold, Octadrachm

Dimensions: Diameter聽30.3 mm, Weight 27.7750 g

Credit Line: Courtesy of John Nebel

Notes: Egypt and the Coming of Rome

Arsinoe II was a particularly powerful ruler of Egypt. She had connections to other important cult centers like the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on the northern Greek island of Samothrace. Arsinoe II was deified after her death, which is symbolized on the obverse of this coin by the tiny horn of Zeus Ammon curling around her ear. The reverse shows a double cornucopia filled with fruits. This portrayal was associated with other representations of Arsinoe II and emphasized the rich blessings her cult would bring to worshipers. The inscription, 鈥渙f Arsinoe Philadelphos,鈥 refers to the brotherly love of the family.

Collection: Coin, John Nebel

Bibliography: 1.听Troxell, Hyla A. 1983. Arsinoe's Non-era. In The American Numismatic Society Museum Notes 28. Page 44 and Plate 7 #4. New York: The American Numismatic Society. 2.听Poole, Reginald Stuart. 1883. Catalogue of Greek Coins. The Ptolemies, Kings of Egypt.Page 43 #11.London: The Trustees of the British Museum. 3.听Svoronos, J. N. 1904. Ta Nomismata tou Kratous ton Ptolemaion, Meros Deuteron. Page 73 #476and Plate XV #15, same obverse die. Athens: P. D. Sakellariou.聽