Berenike Gold Dekadrachm
Ex Bibilothèque Nationale – Referenced in Svoronos

Triton XIX, Lot: 2103. Estimate $100000. Sold for $300000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Berenike II, wife of Ptolemy III. Circa 244/3-221 BC. AV Dekadrachm (32.5mm, 42.75 g, 12h). Attic standard. Alexandreia mint. Struck under Ptolemy III, circa 242/1-222. Veiled and draped bust right, wearing necklace / BAΣIΛΣΣHΣ BEPENIKHΣ, filleted cornucopia; stars flanking, small E below. Svoronos 972β = van Driessche dies D1/R4, a = Hunt III 58 (this coin, van Driessche’s further listing of ex de Luynes 3425 is erroneous); SNG Copenhagen –; SNG Lockett 3416 (same obv. die); Boston MFA 2277 (same obv. die); Jameson 1818 (same obv. die); Pozzi 3236 (same dies). Superb EF, lustrous, light scratch on cheek. Well centered and struck. Very rare, one of 15 noted by van Driessche, six of which are in museums.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXX (8 December 1992), lot 177; Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (Part III, Sotheby’s New York, 4 December 1990), lot 58; Numismatic Fine Arts VI (27 February 1979), lot 431; Münzen und Medaillen AG XXV (17 November 1962), lot 494; Cabinet de Medailles, Bibliothèque Nationale, L 3925 = Fond général 342bis (deaccessioned 1961).