Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 130. Estimate CHF55000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF82000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy III. Circa 244/3-221 BC. Pentadrachm (Gold, 21.49 g 12), after c. 241. Veiled bust of Berenike II to right, wearing ornate necklace Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ ΒΕΡΕΝΙΚΗΣ Cornucopiae tied with royal diadem between two six-pointed stars; to left, Ε.. BMFA 2278. Svoronos 973. Extremely rare. A lovely, lustrous coin, struck on a full flan and with a splendid portrait. A few minor marks as usual, otherwise, good extremely fine.

Berenike II was the daughter of Magas of Cyrene and wife of Ptolemy III. She was first married to Demetrios the Fair, son of Demetrios Poliorketes, but when she caught him in bed with her mother Apama she had him killed. She then married Ptolemy III and had several children, including Ptolemy IV who had her murdered in 221.