Ancient Greece - 285/4-246 BCE Ptolemy II AV Tetradrachm NGC Choice AU★

PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285/4-246 BC), with Arsinöe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenice I. AV Tetradrachm (13.88 gm). NGC Choice AU★ Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5. Alexandria Mint, before August of 272 BC.

Obverse: AΔEΛΦΩN above, jugate busts to the right of Ptolemy II, diademed and draped, and Arsinöe II, diademed and veiled; Galatian shield decorated with thunderbolt behind, dotted border. Reverse: ΘEΩN above, jugate busts to the right of Ptolemy I, diademed and draped, and Berenice II, diademed and veiled; dotted border. References: CPE 314. Svoronos 604. This is a beautiful piece with booming luster.

Bust of Ptolemy II. National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Ptolemy II Philadelphus, “Ptolemy, sibling-lover,” 309-28 January 246 BC, ruled as pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt from 284 to 246 BC. He was son of Ptolemy I, Macedonian Greek general of Alexander the Great who established the Ptolemaic Kingdom after Alexander’s death, and Queen Berenice I, who was originally from Macedon in Northern Greece.

It was during the reign of Ptolemy II that the material and literary splendor of the Alexandrian court was at its zenith, for he promoted the Museum and Library of Alexandria. With mixed success, he pursued an aggressive and expansionist foreign policy. The years 275 to 271 BC saw him lead the Ptolemaic Kingdom against the adversary Seleucid Empire in the First Syrian War, extending Ptolemaic control over Cilicia and Caria. However, he lost control over Cyrenaica after his half-brother Magas defected to the enemy. During the Chremonidean War of c. 267 to 261 BC, Ptolemy II challenged Antigonid Macedonia for control of the Aegean Sea, enduring considerable setbacks. That was followed up with the Second Syrian War (260-253 BC) against the Seleucid Empire, in which most of the gains from the first war were lost.