Illustration
This massive gold coin weighing approximately 27.7-8 grams was known as an octadrachm (equivalent in worth to 8 drachmae). Under the Ptolemies, mints in cities like Alexandria and Ptolemais produced ever larger denominations in gold, silver, and bronze. This coin was minted in Alexandria, Egypt between 260-40 BCE. On its obverse, it bears the diademed heads of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II with the legend "Adelphon" (literally Greek for "Siblings"). On the reverse, Ptolemy I and Berenice I are depicted.
British Museum, London.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Museum, T. B. (2018, February 27). Gold Octadrachm of Ptolemy II & Arsinoe II. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8210/gold-octadrachm-of-ptolemy-ii--arsinoe-ii/
Chicago Style
Museum, The British. "Gold Octadrachm of Ptolemy II & Arsinoe II." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 27, 2018. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8210/gold-octadrachm-of-ptolemy-ii--arsinoe-ii/.
MLA Style
Museum, The British. "Gold Octadrachm of Ptolemy II & Arsinoe II." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 27 Feb 2018. Web. 21 Feb 2025.
