Greek: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Berenice II (267/266-221 BC). AV pentadrachm (25mm, 21.37 gm, 11h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 2/5, b...
Description
Rare Ptolemaic Pentadrachm
PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Berenice II (267/266-221 BC). AV pentadrachm
(25mm, 21.37 gm, 11h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 2/5, brushed, marks.
Alexandria, under Ptolemy III, ca. 242-241 BC. Veiled, diademed,
and draped bust of Berenice right, seen from front, within dotted
border / BEPENIKHΣ-BAΣIΛΣΣHΣ, cornucopia bound with diadem, flanked
by two six-pointed stars; Chi-Rho monogram in lower left field. CPE
I 747. Svoronos 962. A beautiful portrait and finely carved
dies.One of the most formidable Ptolemaic queens, Berenice II's family background was unusually convoluted and bloody even by Macedonian standards. Born in 267 BC, she was the daughter of the Cyrenaican king Magas and his wife Apama. In 249 BC, upon the death of Magas her mother married her off to Demetrius the Fair, son of Demetrius Poliorcetes, who was invited to become king of Cyrenaica. Demetrius, however, was more interested in Apama than her daughter and, catching him in her mother's bed, Berenice stabbed him to death. Despite this, her legendary beauty prompted Ptolemy III of Egypt to marry her in 244/3 BC and the duo became the foremost "power couple" in the world. Berenice appears to have ruled Egypt quite capably during her husband's long campaigns of conquest. During one such campaign she cut off her hair and dedicated it to Aphrodite for her husband's safe return. The hair mysteriously disappeared and was "discovered" in the heavens forming the constellation Coma Berenices. The tale entered legend as "The Lock of Berenice." She had six children, one of whom, Ptolemy IV, succeeded to the throne in 221 BC. Berenice originally ruled jointly with him but was soon murdered, probably at the instigation of her son. Gold and silver coins were minted in her name on both the Ptolemaic and Macedonian standards.
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 5 -
Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 34001-34318) - 6:00 PM Central Time, Monday, January 12, 2026 (7:00 PM Eastern Time).
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
InterContinental New York Barclay
111 East 48th Street
New York, NY 10017
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | Ancient Coins Grading Tutorial
World and Ancient Coin Bibliography
** Lots bearing estimates and without Consignor Reserve shall open at Heritage Auctions' discretion (usually 25% to 60% of the low estimate).