Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying King Ptolemy II Philadelphos and Queen Arsinoe II (After 270 BCE, issued by King Ptolemy II, reign of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II, 285–247 BCE): Artwork and History

Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying King Ptolemy II Philadelphos and Queen Arsinoe II (After 270 BCE, issued by King Ptolemy II, reign of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II, 285–247 BCE) is in the Art Institute of Chicago collection. The museum lists its creator attribution as Greek, Ptolemaic; Egypt.

The work and its context

The Art Institute of Chicago describes the work:

The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the heads of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II, facing to the right. The back (reverse) portrays the head of Ptolemy I and Berenice I, facing to the right. The son and daughter of Ptolemy I inherited the crown of Egypt jointly. Following the customs of Egyptian pharaohs, Ptolemy II (reigned 285–246 BCE) and Arsinoe II (reigned 276–270 BCE) married and ruled as both siblings and spouses. To celebrate their partnership they commissioned this remarkable coin. On his coins, Ptolemy I presented himself as a Greek, and specifically a Macedonian, king.

Object facts

• Title: Tetradrachm (Coin) Portraying King Ptolemy II Philadelphos and Queen Arsinoe II
• Date: After 270 BCE, issued by King Ptolemy II, reign of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II, 285–247 BCE
• Artist attribution: Greek, Ptolemaic; Egypt
• Place of origin: Egypt
• Medium: Gold
• Dimensions: Diam.: 2.1 cm (7/8 in.)
• Type: Coin
• Department: Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
• Reference number: 1922.4256

Collection credit

Gift of William F. Dunham

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