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Mnaeion - Ptolemy II Philadelphus In the name of Arsinoe II
| Issuer | Ptolemaic Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Year | 252 BC - 249 BC |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | 29.5 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A double cornucopiae bound together at the base with a royal diadem and arranged symmetrically in the field, their interiors filled with a pyramidal arrangement of cakes, a pomegranate, and assorted fruits symbolizing abundance and royal prosperity. A grape cluster hangs prominently from the rim of each horn, further emphasizing the theme of divine fertility associated with the deified queen. The entire design is contained within a uniform dotted border, consistent with the obverse treatment. The reverse legend in Greek identifies the honoree. |
| Reverse script | Greek |
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| Additional information |
Arsinoe II died around 268 BC, yet Ptolemy II continued striking gold coinage in her name for decades afterward — a deliberate program of posthumous deification that elevated her to divine status alongside the traditional Egyptian gods. The mnaeion, equivalent to a full mina in weight, was among the largest gold denominations the Ptolemaic mint produced, and issues in Arsinoe's name circulated as much as religious objects as monetary instruments. The cult of Arsinoe Philadelphus spread across Egypt and into the Aegean, with dedicated temples and priesthoods funded in part through the prestige these coins carried.