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Description

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246 - 222 B.C.

Svoronos attributed this type to Ptolemy II but based on the portrait and style it appears to be a late reign issue of Ptolemy III.Ptolemy III Euergetes was the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. He promoted the translation of Jewish scriptures into Greek as the Septuagint. Due to a falling out at the Seleucid court, his eldest sister Berenice Phernophorus was murdered along with her infant son. In response he invaded Syria, occupied Antioch and even reached Babylon. This war, the Third Syrian War, is cryptically alluded to in Daniel XI 7-9.

26736. Bronze obol, Svoronos 708, SNG Cop 495, Weiser 55 - 56 (all Ptolemy II), gF, Phoenicia, Tyre mint, 10.972g, 23.4mm, 0°, c. 230 - 222 B.C.; obverse diademed and horned head of Zeus-Ammon right; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOΥ BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings closed, club left, no control letters; SOLD