Nomos 9

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Period of Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII, 180-116 BC. Oktadrachm (Gold, 27mm, 27.76 g 12), c. 134 BC (?). Head of Arsinoë II (?) to right, wearing diadem and stephane, and with a lotos-tipped scepter behind her head; in field to left, Κ. Rev. ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ Double cornucopiae bound with fillet; border of dots. Du Chastel 298 (there dated to 134 BC). SNG Copenhagen 322. Svoronos 1498. Superb, lustrous, lightly toned on the reverse, in high relief and most attractive. Virtually as struck.

From the Canonicus collection, ex Nomos 3, 10 May 2011, 159.

The large K on the obverse of this coin, ostensibly a regnal date (=20) copied from an actual piece of Arsinoe from the 3rd century, is surely something else. It is generally thought to indicate that the portrait is actually that of either Cleopatra II or her daughter Cleopatra III; the first was the wife of both Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII, the second was only the wife of Ptolemy VIII. Any form of certainty seems doubtful, but see the note to the following lot.