Ancient Greek Bronze Drachm

Obverse of Euergetes Bronze Drachm
Reverse of Euergetes Bronze Drachm

The Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt was one of the successor states of Alexander the Great's Empire, founded by Ptolemy Soter, Satrap of Egypt and one of Alexander's former generals. Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty became a Hellenic civilisation, although Ptolemy and his successors styled themselves as the heirs to the Pharaohs who had ruled Egypt in centuries past.

Featured is a a substantial (70.5g) bronze drachm of Ptolemy III Euergetes (Benefactor), who was the grandson of the original Ptolemy. It was under Ptolemy III that the Canopus Stone was created (which together with the famous Rosetta Stone, allowed modern linguists to decipher Egyptian Hieroglyphs by comparing them with the Greek version of the text inscribed on the stones).

In 246 B.C. Ptolemy's elder sister Bernice, widow of the late Seleucid King Antiochus II was murdered by the latter's first wife Laodice. For this reason, Euergetes declared war on the Seleucids to avenge his sister's death in what is now known as the Third Syrian War. For collectors of coins with a Biblical connection, this makes the coin particularly interesting, as the events of this war are referred to in Daniel Chapter 11 of the Old Testament. Ptolemy III is alluded to as the 'Great King of the South' who marches out in a rage and fights against the 'King of the North' (Seleucus II).

Ptolemy III died in 222 B.C. Up until this point, Egypt had been governed wisely and well by the Ptolemy's, but with the death of Euergetes, the Ptolemaic dynasty descended into the routine marital incest, interfamilial intrigue and infighting for which it became notorious. Thereafter, the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt began a long period of decline culminating with the death of its last ruler, the infamous Cleopatra VII along with her Lover Mark Antony, both of whom committed suicide as Egypt fell to the victorious Armies of Octavian, who turned what remained of the former kingdom into a mere province of the Roman Empire.

Price & Availability:-

Description	Grade	Price £	Price $	Availability
Bronze Drachm (Alexandria Mint) 70.5g	AVF	£175*	$Ask	Sold

*Correct as of 2010

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
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