Ancients: PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Berenice II (died 221 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.62 gm, 1h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Styl...

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Very Rare Fine Style Berenice II Octodrachm

PTOLEMAIC EGYPT. Berenice II (died 221 BC). AV mnaieion or octodrachm (27mm, 27.62 gm, 1h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style, marks. Posthumous issue under Ptolemy III, Ephesus, ca. 246-222 BC. Veiled, diademed, and draped bust of Berenice II right, with highly idealized features, wearing necklace; dotted border / ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ-ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ, cornucopia bound with royal diadem, containing pomegranate, pyramidal cake, and grain ear, grape clusters hanging from rim; bee right seen from above in inner left field, dotted border. CPE 777 (this coin). Svoronos 899. These Fine Style dies showcase Berenice's portrait.

From The Peh Family Collection, Part II. Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3016 (2 January 2012), lot 23094.

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.

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