Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying King Ptolemy II Philadelphos and Queen Arsinoe II
Ancient Greek
-285–-247
- Medium
- Gold
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.1 cm (7/8 in.)
- Genre
- coin
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
goldcoinptolemaicrulers (people)inorganic materialancient artnonferrous metalgreco-roman (egyptian)portraitsstriking (metalworking)ancientmetal
About
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the heads of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II, facing to the right. The back (reverse) portrays the head of Ptolemy I and Berenice I, facing to the right. The son and daughter of Ptolemy I inherited the crown of Egypt jointly. Following the customs of Egyptian pharaohs, Ptolemy II (reigned 285–246 BCE) and Arsinoe II (reigned 276–270 BCE) married and ruled as both siblings and spouses. To celebrate their partnership they commissioned this remarkable coin. On his coins, Ptolemy I presented himself as a Greek, and specifically a Macedonian, king.
