Greek: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285/284-246 BC). AV trichryson or pentadrachm (24mm, 17.81 gm, 1h). NGC Choice AU 5/...

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Ex Lexington Collection

PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285/284-246 BC). AV trichryson or pentadrachm (24mm, 17.81 gm, 1h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Alexandria, ca. 275/274-272 BC. Diademed head of Ptolemy I right, aegis tied around neck; dotted border / ΠTOΛEMAIOY-BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed; ΣΩ monogram above Galatian shield in left field, AI monogram in right field, dotted border. CPE 304. Svoronos 551. Mirror-like surfaces with highlights of amber. Rare type.

From The Cambridge Collection. Ex The Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern (Heritage Auctions, Auction 3035, 3 September 2014), lot 29123.

The trichryson, a gold piece of about 24mm and 17.8 grams (the approximate size and weight of an Attic silver tetradrachm), was first introduced by Ptolemy I shortly after he assumed the title of Basileus (king) in 305 BC. The weight was equivalent to five Ptolemaic silver drachms on the reduced Phoenician standard adopted by Ptolemy I (hence the modern term "pentadrachm" usually applied to this denomination) but under the Ptolemaic system the value would have been 12 times as great, or 60 silver drachms - a huge sum in the ancient world. It was the largest gold coin the world had yet seen, testament to the vast wealth of Egypt. The Alexandria mint employed the best engravers in the production of its gold coinage and the quality of portraiture is typically outstanding. The production of gold trichrysons continued under Ptolemy II Philadelphus until circa August 272 BC, when it was replaced by an even larger gold coin, the mnaieion, worth 100 silver drachms.

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