Silver Tetradrachm, Ptolemaic Egypt, c. 285-246 BC
Ruler: Ptolemy II
Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy, right
Rev: Eagle standing left on Thunderbolt
Mint: Sidon (285-261 BC)
(Noeske 98-9) - 24mm, 14.05gm
Ptolemy II Philadelphus (309–246 BC) was the king of Ptolemaic Egypt from 283 BC to 246 BC. He was the son of the founder of the Ptolemaic kingdom Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice, and was educated by Philitas of Cos.
He had two half-brothers, Ptolemy Keraunos and Meleager, who both became kings of Macedonia (in 281 BC and 279 BC respectively), and who both died in the Gallic invasion of 280–279 BC. Ptolemy was first married to Arsinoë I, daughter of Lysimachus, who was the mother of his legitimate children; after her repudiation he married his full sister Arsinoë II, the widow of Lysimachus.
