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Ptolemy I, boyhood friend and general of Alexander the Great, inherited Egypt as his share of the world. He founded the dynasty which ended with Cleopatra VII.

246-221 BC gold octodrachm

About 26.5 mm, 27.74 grams. These huge gold octodrachms were the largest circulating gold coins from the invention of coins about 650 BC until 1662 with the advent of the British 5 guinea coin. Obverse: Struck by Ptolemy IV, in the Ptolemaic tradition of honoring forebears. Deified bust of Ptolemy III, wearing aegis of Athena and diadem of Phoebus, the sun god, with trident of Poseidon over shoulder.

NGC ch VF polished — $15700.00

ARSINOE II, d.270/68BC Gold OCTODRACHM "Rare Tyre Mint"

27.72grams. Obverse: diademed and veiled head of the deified Arsinoe II, wife of Ptolemy II. Fine style engraving of her portrait, not to be confused with later more mundane artwork. Posthumous by Ptolemy III. (c.245 BC)

NGC (AU) — $22700.00

ARSINOE II, Gold OCTADRACHM, 253-246 B.C., Ptolemaic Kings

ARSINOE II, queen of Eygpt and Libya. Sister and wife of Ptolemy II. Diademed and veiled bust of Arsinoe II. Rev: Double cornucopiae bound with fillet.

ANACS (EF-45) — $12700.00

ARSINOE II, Gold OCTADRACHM, 270/68 B.C., Ptolemaic Kingdom

Issued c.mid-3rd century BC. ARSINOE II, queen of Eygpt and Libya. Sister and wife of Ptolemy II. Diademed and veiled bust of Arsinoe II. Rev: Double cornucopiae bound with fillet. (27.74g)

NGC (AU) — $14700.00