Gold Octodrachm (Primary Title)
Coin (Object Name)
Unknown (Artist)
This is one of earliest Greek coins to depict a mortal female and was issued by Ptolemy II Philadelphus (reigned 285–246 BC) to honor Arsinoe II, his sister and wife, who was deified after her death in 270.
The Ptolemies, the Macedonian rulers of Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great, adopted the custom of marrying their siblings from the Egyptian pharaohs.
Ptolemaic Period
Obverse: Head of Arsinoe II Philadelphus
Reverse: Double Conucopia, inscribed ... (see label)
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
