PTOLEMAIC KINGS OF EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphos. 285-246 BC. Struck, c. 275/4-260 BC

PTOLEMAIC KINGS OF EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphos. 285-246 BC. Struck, c. 275/4-260 BC

$750.00

AE Diobol, 14.98g (28mm, 12h). Laureate head of Zeus to right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Eagle with spread wings standing left on thunderbolt; to left, monogram above Galatian shield; between eagle's legs, Ι.

References: Lorber B174. SNG Copenhagen -. Svoronos 576

Grade: The reverse somewhat double struck and with minor deposits, otherwise, Good VF (gk1434)

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Ptolemy II “Philadelphos” (or brother-loving), was so named because of his shocking marriage to his sister Arsinoe II. This union was surprising for the Greeks but embraced by the Egyptians. Just as his father, Ptolemy I, had done, Ptolemy II embraced the Egyptian culture instead of just trying to promote only a Greek way of life to the people of Egypt. 

The fight over Alexander the Great’s vast kingdom was continued under the reign of Ptolemy II. The lines of power were still not clarified so strengthening bonds and destroying others were central at the time. Ptolemy II was almost solely responsible for the introduction of elephants into the Ptolemaic cavalry. 

This particular coin bears no direct ties to Ptolemy II other than the symbol between the legs of the eagle. The Zeus/eagle bronze coinage can be found throughout the Ptolemaic series.