Silver Greek Dodekadrachm of Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy, Museum Specimen Coin

Description: Museum Specimen Coin: Silver Greek Dodekadrachm of Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy III, Euergetes, (Pentakaidecadrachm) Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Solid Silver Dodecadrachm Coin Obverse: Veiled and draped bust rightLegend: AnepigraphicReverse: Cornucopia filled with fruit and grape bunches, and bound with fillets between laureate caps of the dioscuri; amphora with high handles in right fieldLegend: BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ BEPENIKHΣ Weight: ~ 51.1 gramDiameter: ~ 42 mm Dodekadrachm: An ancient Greek silver coin denomination with a value of 12 drachms or 3 tetradrachms.Massive Silver Greek Dodekadrachm Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Berenice II, wife of Ptolemy III Euergetes, Ancient Egyptian Cornucopia on Rev, Alexandria mint, struck 244-222 B.C. Queen Berenice II ruled in Egypt during the period of 246 to 221 BCE as the wife of Ptolemy III. She fit well into the Hellenistic period, which is known for familial infighting, extravagance, and outspoken female figures. From murdering her first husband, to participating in chariot races, eating her dinner with a pet lion, and finally being murdered by her own scheming son, she is an excellent example of all the drama the Hellenistic period could produce. She is perhaps most well-known from the poem by Callimachus, as retold by Catullus, which described the dedication of a lock of her hair at the temple of Arsinoe-Aphrodite and its subsequent catasterism. But, while these details of her life are dramatic and interesting, the most intriguing aspect of this queen is the coinage which was produced in her name.The coinage of Berenice was minted in seven gold denominations and five silver. Some of them are exceptionally large; for instance, the silver dodecadrachms (also called pentekaidecadrachms) are some of the largest coins minted in a Hellenistic kingdom, second only to the 20-drachm pieces issued by King Amyntas of Bactria. These coins, and the other large and unusually weighted denominations of Berenice, do not seem to fit into the economic structure of the period. Egypt had a closed monetary system, and in 310 BCE Ptolemy I abandoned the Attic standard (with a silver drachm of 4.3 g) in favor of the Phoenician or Ptolemaic standard (with a silver drachm of 3.575 g). Thus, when Svoronos catalogued the Berenice coins in his 1904 work Ta Nomismata Tou Kratous Ton Ptolemaion and listed them as returning to the Attic standard, they quickly became a subject of contention for numismatists. This has caused historians and numismatist to question if the production of these coins had something to do with the Third Syrian War, or if, perhaps, they were minted outside of Egypt.The large and complex series of coins issued by Ptolemy III (246-222 B.C.) for a certain Berenice has been intensively studied in recent years. The most distinctive issue is a large silver coin traditionally described as an Attic-weight dodekadrachm (12 drachms), and more recently as a Ptolemaic-weight pentekaidekadrachm (15 drachms). There is no question that weights of these coins favour their classification as pentekaidekadrachms, as they are perfect for 15 Ptolemaic drachms, yet they are roughly equal to 12.5 Attic drachms – a significant overage in weight that is hard to explain. Yet, concerns linger as to why the Ptolemaic weight standard would have been employed at this time in Alexandria (the presumed mint of this issue) since that standard had not been in use there since the reign of Ptolemy I (305-282 B.C.). The answer may lie in the innovative nature of the Berenice series, which appears to include coins struck both to the Ptolemaic and the Attic weight standards. Another question raised in recent years is which Berenice is honoured: Berenice II, the wife of Ptolemy III, or Berenice Syra, the king’s sister? The traditional view is that the king’s wife is honoured, but Hazzard has suggested it may be his sister. He sees the coins as products of the Third Syrian War (Laodicean War), which began not long after the death of the Seleucid King Antiochus II in 246 under mysterious circumstances. His death caused a dynastic crisis, for Antiochus II had two wives, the Seleucid Laodice and the Ptolemaic Berenice Syra, both of whom had borne him children who were considered legitimate heirs to the Seleucid throne. However, when Berenice Syra and her son were murdered in 246, Ptolemaic claims to the Seleucid throne were eliminated and Ptolemy III responded by invading Seleucid territories. His campaign was successful, but ground to a halt when domestic crises forced him to return to Egypt. In 241, Ptolemy III made peace with Seleucus II, who in the meantime had become the new Seleucid king. As laudable as Hazzard’s suggestion may be, the case for Berenice II, a queen in her own right, is perhaps stronger. She had married Ptolemy III in about 246, the eventful year of Berenice Syra’s death, and throughout the Third Syrian War she ruled Egypt in his absence. Perhaps more important, Berenice’s portrait bears no symbols to suggest she was deceased. On the earlier coinage for the deceased Arsinoe II, the bust is adorned with the divine attributes of a ram’s horn and a lotus sceptre. Neither is present on the Berenice coinage, and though Berenice II was alive throughout her husband’s reign, Berenice Syra was deceased. Introducing our Museum Specimen of Greek Silver Dodekadrachm Coin, a stunning tribute to the artistry and cultural legacy of Ancient Greece. Meticulously crafted, this Museum Specimen captures the essence of one of the most iconic coins in Greek history.Crafted from high-quality silver, our Museum Specimen of Greek Silver Dodekadrachm Coin possesses an air of authenticity and historical significance. Its weight and size provide a tangible connection to the past, allowing you to appreciate the craftsmanship and cultural significance of Ancient Greek coinage.The meticulous engraving work and raised relief bring the imagery to life, showcasing the artistry and storytelling of Ancient Greek culture and paying homage to the skill of the Ancient Greek craftsmen.Experience the grandeur and legacy of Ancient Greece with our extraordinary Museum Specimen of Greek Silver Dodekadrachm Coin. Own a piece of history and let its timeless beauty and historical significance captivate you and those around you.Whether you are a history enthusiast, a collector or someone captivated by the splendor of Ancient Greece, this Museum Specimen coin is a prized addition to your collection. Display it in a coin case, frame it as a captivating piece of art, or use it as a source of inspiration and admiration. Unleash your fascination with Ancient Greece and embrace the enduring beauty of our Museum Specimen of Greek Silver Dodekadrachm Coin. Let its timeless charm transport you to a world of mythology, art and history. Own a piece of Greek heritage and embark on a journey through the remarkable legacy of this extraordinary civilization.At Roman Greece, we are passionate about honoring the legacy of ancient civilizations and providing extraordinary Museum Specimens that allow you to experience the magnificence of the past. Our Museum Specimen of Greek Silver Dekadrachm Coin is a testament to our dedication to historical accuracy and excellence. RomanGreece came to existence in 2009, as a small family-operated business, with a passion for souvenirs, coins and collectible items. What we do is both a hobby and a business. Our mission is to offer high-quality Museum Specimens, so people who appreciate and collect art have the opportunity to own such quality without having to spend a fortune. At a symbolic price you can complement your collection with rare items from all over the world or make a unique present to someone by giving them a piece of history. We enjoy dealing with Museum Specimen Coins made by hand in our art metal studio.We offer the rarest and choicest Ancient Greece, Roman, Biblical and Colonial coins - done just the way our ancient ancestors used to make them (all coins are struck, not cast). The coins are uniquely beautiful and accurately detailed. This kind of art have been highly regarded by connoisseurs, including rare collectors, art historians and educators. Our customers include museums, museum shops, universities and film productions and theaters from all around the world! 📌 All our coins are made of genuine solid sterling silver and bronze. We don't sell silver plated base metal, tin, plastic or fake silver. ⭕ - Shipping - ✔ Ready to Ship in 1-3 Business Days✔ We ship worldwide!🌎 Via Recorded International Airmail (trackable!)✔ The product will be sent in a padded envelope, packaged 🎁 in a coin collecting flip, safely packed with bubble wrap to avoid any damage during shipping.✔ Visit our store, browse our other collections, and find the perfect piece you're looking for. - Returns, Exchanges & Cancellations - ✔ Cancellations are only acceptable, if the items hasn't been shipped.✔ No exchanges.✔ No returns. 👋 Questions, comments, or just want to say hi? 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Thank you for visiting our shop! ♥🦄 Happy shopping! :) Please contact us if you have any questions and we will be happy to help.We value privacy so please don't worry, any contact information provided will not be retained or utilized for any other purpose beyond the response to your inquiry.7800

Price: 143.99 USD

Location: European Union

End Time: 2025-01-07T11:57:07.000Z

Shipping Cost: 8.5 USD