Art Institute of Chicago

Octadrachm (Coin) Portraying Arsinoe II

Greek, Ptolemaic

Date

261 BCE, Issued by Ptolemy II Reign of Arsinoe II, Queen of Egypt, 276–270 BCE

Medium

Gold

Culture

Egypt

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The purpose of the first portrait coins was to identify the ruler. The front side became a mirror of the sovereign’s self-image. The back was often used to communicate the ruler’s accomplishments or intentions. The profile portrait was used because it suited the very shallow depth and limited surface of the coin. The tiny images were carved by engravers into bronze dies, one for the front and another for the back. The coins were then struck, one by one, in a process similar to how modern coins are created today. In place of human ancestors, some rulers substituted real or mythic heroes or even the gods as their progenitors. On the front (obverse) of this coin Queen Arsinoe (reigned 273/272-270/268 BCE) is portrayed with a tiny horn curled around her ear. The horn was the symbol of the god Zeus-Ammon and implies that the queen was in fact, a goddess on earth. The back (reverse) of this coin depicts a double cornucopia bound with a fillet.

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