Ptolemaic Egyptian Empire Arsinoe II 265-241 BC Silver Decadrachm NGC XF RARE!

PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Arsinöe II Philadelphus (277-270/68 BC). AR decadrachm (36mm, 33.93 gm, 11h). NGC XF 5/5 - 2/5. Overlooked issue of Alexandria under Ptolemy II, ca. 266/5 BC. Veiled head of deified Arsinöe II right, wearing diademed stephane and horn of Ammon, scepter surmounted by lotus over left shoulder; E in left field, dotted border / APΣINOHΣ-ΦIΛAΔEΛΦOY, double cornucopia bound with fillet, containing pyramidal cakes, pomegranates, and other fruits, with grape cluster hanging from the rim of each horn; dotted border.

This artistic rendition has charcoal patina, adding depth to a dynamic portrait.

NGC has only certified 39 examples in all grades. Exceedingly rare.

The Decadrachm rarity stems from the fact there were no native Silver mines in Egypt. Silver had to be imported from the Ptolemaic mines in Cyprus. Gold was much more abundant for this reason.

The ostentatious display of Egypt's wealth under the Ptolemies was not confined to gold coinage. Ptolemy I and his immediate successors also struck silver coins in larger denominations than any contemporary kingdom or city-state. Along with the vast outpouring of gold in the name of his sister-wife Arsinöe II, Ptolemy II also struck silver decadrachms displaying her veiled portrait backed with the cornucopia, symbolizing Egypt's agricultural abundance. Having died in about 270 BC, Arsinöe is shown as a goddess, with the tip of a ram's horn (symbolic of the god Ammon) poking out from beneath her veil, and the lotus-tipped scepter of the goddess Isis just visible above her head.

Guaranteed Genuine by NGC