PTOLEMY III EUERGETES, AE large drachm. Alexandria 245-222 BC 70.61 Grams

PTOLEMY III EUERGETES, King and Pharaoh of Egypt, AE large drachm. Alexandria, 245-222 BC. Diademed and horned head of Zeus-Ammon right. Reverse - BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, eagle standing left on winged thunderbolt; filleted cornucopia to left, chi-rho monogram between legs. Svoronos 964. SNG Copenhagen 171. 42mm, 70.61g.

Interesting type with the Chi-Rho symbol between the eagle's legs. The Chi-Rho, or Christogram, symbolized the first two letters of Christos, and would later go on to symbolize Christianity from the time of Constantine onwards. Before Christianity, the Chi-Rho monogram would sometimes appear in the margins of books, used to denote a particularly interesting quote or passage, abbreviating Chreston, meaning 'good'. The appearance of the Chi-Rho on this coin may denote a similar usage