Ptolemy II Ancient Egyptian Hemiobol, Alexandria. Genuine Coin

King: Ptolemy II Philadelphos
Denomination: AE Hemiobol (large bronze)
Mint: Alexandria
Date: c. 266–256 BC
Reference: Svoronos 482; SNG Copenhagen 161; Köln 32
Size: 24 mm
Weight: 11.28 g
Die Axis: 12 h

Obverse:
Bust of Alexander the Great right, wearing elephant-skin headdress.
Description: Alexander shown with the elephant scalp, symbol of his Eastern conquests and the Ptolemaic dynasty’s claim to his divine legacy.

Reverse:
Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; classic Ptolemaic symbol of Zeus and royal authority.
Description: The eagle motif became the standard emblem of the Lagid kings, representing power, stability, and continuity.

Description:
A large bronze hemiobol struck at Alexandria under Ptolemy II Philadelphos, one of the great rulers of the early Ptolemaic Kingdom. These bronzes are part of the massive monetary expansion that supported Egypt’s growing influence in the Mediterranean. The portrait of Alexander the Great wearing the elephant headdress embodies the dynasty’s ideological connection to Alexander’s empire, while the eagle on thunderbolt is the hallmark of Ptolemaic authority.

These coins circulated widely in Egypt and the Levant during the mid-3rd century BC and remain highly collectible for their impressive size, bold engraving, and historical importance in the early Hellenistic world.

Condition:
VF. Strong profile of Alexander with dark green patina. Guaranteed authentic ancient coin.

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