Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold coin with relief decoration on each side.　
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left are the busts of two men facing right, side by side, both men have tendrils of short curly hair with headbands around their heads, shoulders draped in loose clothing; behind, a shield, small dots surround the border; above, the Greek characters: A D E L P H O N. The other side of the coin depicts the busts of two men facing right, side by side, both men have tendrils of short curly hair with headbands around their heads, shoulders draped in loose clothing, small dots surround the border; above, the Greek characters: T H E O N.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1.1965.2752
People
Ptolemy II Philadelphos, Greek (r. 283-246 BCE)
Title
Oktodrachm (mnaieion) of Ptolemy II
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
282 - 272 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Alexandria (Egypt)
Period
Ptolemaic period
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/169887

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3740, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Egypt: Art for Eternity
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
27.63 g
Die Axis
2
Denomination
octodrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: ADELPHON
  • Reverse Inscription: THEON

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire I.1, 313; Svoronos 603

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Loan from the Trustees of the Arthur Stone Dewing Greek Numismatic Foundation
Object Number
1.1965.2752
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Jugate busts of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II r.; to l., shield; border of dots.
Rev.: Jugate busts of Ptolemy I and Berenice I r.; border of dots.

Exhibition History

  • The Portrait, Fogg Museum, Cambridge, 10/15/2004 - 01/09/2005
  • 32Q: 3740 Egyptian, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 11/28/2017; Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/29/2018 - 01/01/2050

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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu