PTOLEMAIC KINGS OF EGYPT. Ptolemy II Philadelphos, with Arsinöe II, Ptolemy I, and Berenike I, 285-246 BC. Quarter Mnaieion or Didrachm (gold, 17 mm, 6.90 g, 12 h), Alexandria, approximately 272-261/0. AΔEΑΦΩN Conjoined busts of Ptolemy II, diademed and draped, and Arsinöe II, diademed and veiled, to right; behind, Galatian shield. Rev. EΩN Conjoined busts of Ptolemy I, diademed and draped, and Berenike, diademed and veiled, to right. CPE 315. Olivier & Lorber - (A1/R4, unlisted the combination). SNG Copenhagen -. Svoronos 605. Extremely rare in this unsual denomination. Minor marks and light scratches, otherwise, good very fine. In the later 270s BC, Ptolemy II introduced a new gold standard centered on the mnaieion, a coin worth 100 silver drachms, with frictions of one-half (50 drachma), one-quarter (25 drachmo), and one-eighth (121⁄2 drachmas). While the mnaieion and especially its helped, the pentekontadrachmon, were struck in considerable numbers, the two smaller denominations were issued on a clearly limited scale. The present quarter mnaieion, weighing 6.90 g and conventionally termed a gold didrachm, is one of the great rarities of the series: CPE records the entire denomination from only two obverse dies. Its exceptional rarity stands in striking contrast to the abundant larger gold pieces and suggest that the quarter mnaieion fulfillment only a very restricted role within the Ptolemaic monetary system. This lot cannot be shipped to a US address.