Ptolemaic Kingdom - Ptolemy II, 285-246. Gold pentadrachm, ca. 285-272 BC, Alexandria. Obv. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis around neck. Rev. ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ - ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings starting to open. F et A in left field. BMC p. 10, n° 89 (Ptolemy I); J. N. Svoronos, Les monnaies du royaume des Ptolémées, Athènes, 1904 (in greek), n° 370, pl. 9/18.
Gold. 17.78 g.
As struck, nice UNC
Ex. NGSA auction 4, 11-12 december 2006, lot 117.
The Ptolemies were the first Hellenistic kings represented on coins during their lifetimes. Ptolemy I, King of Egypt and therefore pharaoh, did not hesitate to do so as early as 304 BC, and was immediately followed by the other Diadochi. Before him, it was unthinkable that a man could place himself at the same level as the gods, as gods alone could figure on the obverse of coins. However, older monetary portraits did exist, going far back in time, in the wake of the Medic wars. These show the satraps, the Persian governors set up by the Great King to develop his policy in Asia Minor. Ptolemy II would impose the monetary traditions of his father and amplify them. Under his reign and those of his successors, the portraits of mothers, sisters and wives appear individually or together. Surprisingly, the latter were not minimized in comparison with that of the sovereign, quite the contrary. The Egyptian princesses were often represented at levels comparable to that of their fathers, brothers and husbands, and sometimes at the same time... Educated and cultivated, they held considerable political and diplomatic role in the history of the Hellenistic world. Two of them, Berenice I and Arsinoe II, even managed to win the only sports event open to women during the Olympic Games, the chariot race!
Les Lagides sont les premiers rois hellénistiques représentés de leur vivant sur des monnaies. Ptolémée Ier, roi d’Égypte et donc pharaon, n’hésite pas à le faire dès 304 av. J.-C. et sera immédiatement suivi par les autres diadoques. Avant lui, il est impensable qu’un homme puisse se mettre au niveau des dieux car eux seuls peuvent figurer au droit des monnaies. Des portraits monétaires plus anciens existent, aux lendemains des guerres médiques. Mais ils figurent des satrapes, ces gouverneurs perses mis en place par le Grand Roi pour développer sa politique en Asie Mineure. Ptolémée II impose les traditions monétaires de son père, en les amplifiant. Sous son règne et ceux de ses successeurs, les portraits de mère, de soeur ou d’épouse apparaissent individuellement ou associés. De manière étonnante, ces femmes ne sont pas minorées par rapport au souverain, bien au contraire. Les princesses égyptiennes sont mises en valeur, à un niveau comparable à celui de leur père, frère ou époux, lesquels peuvent d’ailleurs cumuler ces statuts... Cultivées, elles tiennent un rôle politique et diplomatique considérable dans l’histoire du monde hellénistique. Deux d’entre elles, Bérénice Ière et Arsinoé II, parviennent même à remporter la seule épreuve sportive ouverte aux femmes lors des Jeux olympiques, la course de char !
Auction: Numismatic Auction 8
Pre-bidding - End
04 07 2017 17:00 CEST
Room auction - Start
05 07 2017 15:00 CEST
Avenue du Mail, 15, Genève, 1205, Switzerland
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