Dea Moneta
login

Main

home auctions shops past results Numismatic Conferences Book Store New issues

Not yet registered? Sign up now

Did you forget your username or password?

Banner Astarte XXIII

Results from 301 to 360 of 726

Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 302 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.1 mm, 27.35 g). Dated RY 12 (=108/9). AYT TPAIAN CЄXBI ΓЄPM ΔAKIK Laureate head right. Rev. Winged Nike in slow biga right, wreath in right, reigns in left, L IB (date) above. Dattari 947 (this coin). RPC III, 4308.3. Milne 593. Emmett 544. Rough surface. Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, Il Cairo, 947. Ex Riccardo Sarti , Milano, Ottobre 1984. Notable drachm belonging previously to the famous Dattari collection. It shows an even and original patina on brilliant black background with emerald green highlights. Well centred coin on both sides with on obverse a clear and titled “consular” portrait of Trajan and on reverse a flexible winged Nike driving a chariot that keeps pace: perhaps an invitation to the Emperor to visit with ostentation Alexandria, after having peacefully quelled a riot and generously administering the city where he had promoted the construction of important monuments.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 303 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.80 mm, 21.44 g). Dated L I (B) = year 12 (108 / 109 AD). [ΑΥΤ TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK] Laureate and draped bust of Trajan right, partially seen from behind. Rev. Anepigraph; In the centre, temple facade in egyptian form with two lateral pylons each equipped with four windows and linked each other by the entrance portal upon which is standing, facing the pharaonic anthropomorphic deity Horus dressed with the ritual tunic and “pshent” crown on head. She has in her left hand the “unas” sceptre and right arm stretched out at her side; at her feet on the left, a small animated image facing (Harpokrates). In the field, at sides the date L I B. Vogt I, pp.70-78. Vogt II, p. 29. Dattari-Savio 7279, this coin, plate 59. RPC III 4330.1 (not 4330.3 as incorrectly indicated). Emmett 521. Staffieri G. M., “Il tempio di Horus a Edfu nella monetazione alessandrina” in “Quaderni ticinesi di Numismatica e Antichità Classiche” (NAC), XLVII, 2018, pp. 237-249. Very fine for the coin type. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 7279, Il Cairo. Ex Naville Numismatics 47, 03.03.2019, lot 261. Coin of fundamental iconographic interest and of absolute rarity attends its improper position described in RPC III 4530.3 as well as, despite the correct description, the incorrect attribution in RPC III 4330.1 of the items Dattari 1160-1161-1162. The importance of the drachm lies in the reverse where the Egyptian temple represented is impressively similar to that of specimen 1161 illustrated in my essay on NAC 2018 cited above and clearly identified in the Hellenistic temple of Horus in Edfu where the relative recognition, in comparing the coins with the existing original monument, it was facilitated not only by the series of four windows being on each tower of the pylon of the facade and the pair of Horus-falcons facing each other on the roofs of the towers (all elements also present here), but also by the anthropomorphic figure of the canonical Horus depicted above the portal between the two towers, flanked at his feet by the image of the falcon, his alter ego. In our case the figure is intentionally replaced by that of his mythical mother according to Egyptian theogony, i.e. Isis, flanked at the feet et pour cause, by Harpokrates, the child Horus. How can we not therefore deduce from these explicit and convincing clues that this too is a representation of the temple of Horus in Edfu, on whose walls Isis is repeatedly depicted? Finally, from the precise comparison of the reverses of the specimens with similar images known from the main published repertoires (Dattari-Savio and RPC III) but which do not show identity with ours, it is possible to hypothesize that this is the only one known that reproduces all the characteristics above described below.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 304 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98. Drachm (Bronze, 35.60 mm, 23.89 g). Dated L I Γ= year 13 (109 / 110 AD) ΑΥΤ KAI TPAIAN CEB ΓEP ΔAKIK Laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Rev. Anepigraph; in n the centre on the exergual line, a half-naked Triptolemus driving a chariot right pulled by two beneficial winged and paired Agathodaemones snakes with "pshent" crowns. Triptolemus is wearing an elephant leather cap and a light chlamys covering his shoulders. He holds a flap containing seeds in his left hand which he spreads towards the ground with his right hand; under the exergual line, the date, L I Γ. Vogt I, pp.78-79. Vogt II, p. 31. Dattari 1042, this coin. Geissen 541. RPC III 4454.1.2 this coin. Emmett 601. STAFFIERI, G. M., Alexandria in Nummis, pp. 127-128, Muzzano 2017. Very fine, regular and intact brown patina. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 1042, Il Cairo. Ex Naville Numismatics 45, 09.12.2018, lot 278. Trajan’s portrait is superb and shows all the solemn and composed calmness of the sovereign, a great leader and at the same time, enlightened head of state. It is a very rare coin (grade 5 according to Emmett). The Greek Eleusinian myth of Triptolemus is connected to that of Demeter, who in Egypt transforms into Isis-Demeter who protects and promotes the fertility of the Nile together with Triptolemus-Osiris. He is the legendary sower who here, stimulated by Demeter, flows to spread the seeds flying over the fields from Upper to Lower Egypt on the chariot pulled by the Egyptian Agathodaemones who here replace the dragons of the analogous Greek theology.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 305 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 32.00 mm, 17.43 g). Dated L I Γ= year 13 (109 / 110 AD) ΑΥΤ KAI TPAIAN CEB ΓEP ΔAKIK Laureate and draped bust of Trajan right. Rev. Anepigraph. Isis-Demeter-Sothis, holding a torch in her right hand, is sitting on the right side on the back of a majestic dog that runs leaping towards the right, turning its head to the left; the goddess wears a chiton, peplos and basileion on her head; below and behind the dog you can see some clouds (?). In the field, at sides the date L I Γ. Vogt I, pp.116-120. Vogt II, p. 30. Dattari 929, this specimen illustrated at plate XXVII. RPC III 4408.2.3 this specimen. Emmett 533. Staffieri, G. M., Isis-Demetra-Sothis nella monetazione alessandrina, in “Annotazioni numismatiche” N. 30, pp. 693-697, Milano, 1998. Staffieri, G. M., Alexandria in Nummis, pp. 293-294, Muzzano 2017. Very Fine, the best possible for this coin's type. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 929, il Cairo. Ex Naville Numismatics 40, 27.05.2018, lot 365. It is the best preserved and legible drachm of the three known (see RPC III 4408.1.1/3) where on the rare reverse, it is shown the scene which interprets, in Egyptian theology, the astronomical-astrological association of Isis-Demeter in the star Sothis (the Roman Sirius), the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation, which justifies the depiction of the oversized dog on the coin, while the sidereal and non-earthly dimension of the scene is underlined by the unusual presence of the clouds behind and under the Canis Major. For further information on reverse meaning and iconography, please refer to above mentioned Giovanni Maria Staffieri texts.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 306 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.6 mm, 16.79 g). Dated RY 14 (= 110/11). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝϹ-ΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Sarapis seated left, between fountains (?); from the one to the left rises a small figure holding a vexillum; from the one to right, rises a flower; to left, small figure (Harpocrates); L ΙΔ (date) in exergue. Geissen -. Dattari -. Emmett -. RPC III, 4534 (only this coin cited and illustrated). Attractive brown patina. Minor roughness on reverse. Very Fine. Extremely Rare or unique? Apparently this is the only specimen known, there are no other published examples. Ex Müller Sölingen 27 (1989) lot 2184. Ex Kölner Münzkabinett 67, 12-13.11.1997, lot 520. As clearly noted by RPC III, 4534 who describes it in detail and illustrates it at table 209, this drachm is known only through this specimen. The unusual scene depicted on the reverse probably refers to a ritual and liturgical ceremony presided over by Sarapis, of which there are no other references so far. The chocolate brown patina regularly covers the entire coin and enhances the images.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 307 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.4 mm, 22.88 g). Dated RY 14 (= 110/11). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝϹ-ΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate bust right, with slight drapery and aegis. Rev. Emperor, holding branch and scepter, driving quadriga of elephants right; L IΔ (date) above. Geissen 550. Dattari (Savio) 766-7. K&G 27.316. RPC III, 4510.3. Emmett 462. Milne 621. Brown patina. Good Very Fine. Ex Kerry K. Wetterström Collection. Ex CNA Ltd. XIII, 04.12. 1990, lot 30. The exceptional nature of this drachm, as anyone can see, derives from the strange inverting of the position of the two dies at the time of the beat, contrary to the practice. In fact, the planchet, normally cone-shaped, here presents the image of the obverse on the base of the cone instead of the vertex, with the impression of a wider than usual diameter, for the obverse of the coin, and narrower for the reverse. Beyond this unique variety the coin is well centered with an excellent brown patina, little circulated.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 308 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.20 mm, 23.94 g) dated RY 15 (= 111-112) ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate bust of Traianus right, wearing aegis on the left shoulder. Rev. Nemesis winged advancing right on a laying to right uncertain figure, raising and bending backwards the right leg with the right hand, holding wheel vertical at ground with the left hand, LI E (date) across fields. RPC III, 4620. Emmett 602. Dattari-Savio 1062 (this specimen). Milne - . Nice light-brown tone. Good Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 1062, Il Cairo. Ex Gilbert Steinberg Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica. Ex Spink Taisei Numismatics Ltd. Auction, 16.11.1994, lot 819. Splendid and very rare drachm from the renowned Dattari collection. The divine Nemesis-Demeter winged and clothed in the act of taking flight, holds with the left the wheel of destiny. It is perhaps an image of sowing, the second of the three seasons of the cycle of fertility of lands washed by the Nile, together with the hope of a particularly fruitful year. Excellent preservation and distribution of the original glossy brown patina.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 309 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 32.29 mm, 14.04 g). Dated RY 15 (= 111/2). AYT TPAIAN CEB ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate bust right, aegis on far shoulder. Rev. Statue of Isis, holding scepter in right hand, enclosed within pylons of Egyptian temple; L IE (date) in exergue. Dattari -Savio 1166. RPC III, 4629. Geissen -. McClean 9858. Emmett 521. Brown patina with some exposed surfaces due to recent cleaning showing porosity, otherwise, nearly Very Fine. Rare. Ex Roma Numismatics 66, 09.01.2020, lot 66. The form and weight of this coin are closer to the hemidrachm than the drachm, but we maintain the classification of RPC III 4629 where the specimen shown is in worse condition than ours, where, still well centred, the egyptian hellenistic temple appearing on the reverse is much similar to that of Isis on Philae-Agilkia Island. Cfr. Staffieri G. M., “Il tempio di Isis a Philae nella monetazione alessandrina” in NAC L, 2021, pp. 231-239.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 310 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.0 mm, 23.14 g). Dated RY 15 (= 111/2). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ CEΒ ΓEΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate bust right, with aegis on far shoulder. Rev. Nilus reclining left on crocodile, holding reed in right hand and cornucopiae in left, below lotus flowers; L IE (date) in upper left field. Dattari-Savio 7108, p. 45 (this coin). RPC III, 4622.3, 15 this specimen. Cf. Geissen 589. Cf. BMC 473. Emmett 550. Light brown patina, minor roughness on reverse. Good Very Fine. Rare. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 7108. Ex Riccardo Sarti Collection, Milano, October 1984. It is a drachm in the best conditions of conservation and celebrated provenance. The Nilus resting above the crocodile is reproduced with style in plastic form and with particular high relief.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 311 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.6 mm, 21.61 g). Dated RY 16 (= 112/3). [AYT] TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK Laureate bust right, drapery over shoulder. Rev. EIPHNH KAI O-M-ONOIA Eirene, holding two grain ears, standing right, facing and joining hands with Omonoia, standing left, holding double cornucopiae; L-IϚ (date) between. Geissen 603 var. (date position and rev. legend). Dattari 866 var. (same). Emmett 450. SNG Copenaghen 257 var. (same). RPC III, 4715.4.4 (this coin). Attractive brown chocolate patina. Minor roughness, otherwise, Good Very Fine. Ex Italo Vecchi, London, April 1991. This drachm’s reverse celebrates the meeting of Peace (Eirene) with Concordia (Omonoia) in evocation and memory of the riots occurred in Alexandria in 108/109 A.D. and positively overcome thanks to the conciliatory and constructive policy of the emperor.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 312 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.70 mm, 20.95 g). Dated RY 16 (= 112/3). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ CEΒΓEΡ[Μ ΔΑΚΙΚ] Laureate bust right, with aegis on far shoulder. Rev. Nilus reclining left on crocodile, holding reed in right hand and cornucopiae in left; L IϚ (date) in upper left field. Dattari Pl. 45, 968 (this coin). RPC III, 4686.1 (this coin illustrated). Geissen -. Milne -. Emmett 550. Attractive brown patina, light weakness area. Good Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 968. Ex Naville Numismatics 62, 13.12.2020, lot 234. Overlooking a couple of slight weaknesses of die penetration, this rare and of illustrious origin drachm is almost not circulated. Its sculptural and sharp images in particular Trajan’s portrait as a stern and gritty leader are well rendered, in addition to the pleasant original brown-green patina.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 313 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.71 mm, 22.64 g). Dated RY 17 (= 112/3). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate half length bust right, wearing aegis. Rev. Column topped by modius and flanked by agathodaemon serpents with pshent crowns; LI-Ϛ (date) above across field. Cf. Dattari-Savio 7231 (date in exergue) & Dattari 1110. RPC III, 4741.2 (this coin). Cf. Emmett 396. Brown patina with some exposed surfaces due to cleaning showing porosity, otherwise, Very Fine. Rare. Ex Tom Buggey Collection. Ex HLT Collection. Ex CNG Electronic Auction 87, lot 905. Ex Agora Auctions 75, 10.07.2018, lot 249. This drachm reverse represents an auspicious scene for harvesting crops grown in fertilized land by flooding of the Nile: this is demonstrated by the abundance of crops that protrude from the modius on the column and by the two winged beneficial snakes which generally pull the air chariot, driven by Triptolemus while spreading seeds on the fields or the one carring kalathos. (see nr. 59 of the collection).
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 314 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.56 mm, 15.60 g). Dated RY 16 (= 111/2). [ΑΥΤ] ΤΡΑΙΑΝ Ϲ-ΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate half length bust right, wearing armor and paludament. Rev. Dionysus rides lying on a chariot drawn by two panthers; L ΙϚ (date) in upper field. Geissen 601. Dattari -. RPC -. BMC 419 var. Milne 678 var. Emmett - (Cfr. 442 but only fo year 20). Attractive dark red “desert” patina, minor roughness, otherwise, Good Very Fine. Very Rare. Ex Gorny & Mosch 196, 07-09.03.2011, lot 2286. This drachm is extremely rare not only for the representation on the reverse but especially for the year of issue (16th) unknown to Emmett. On the reverse we see Dionysus holding with the right hand a tyrsos while lying on a chariot driven by two panthers: it is a joyful and auspicious image: the panther is linked to the theology of the lively Dionysus. Cfr. Staffieri, “Claudio II (268-270 d. C.) e il mito di Dioniso nella monetazione di Seleucia Sidéra in Pisidia” in Quaderni Ticinesi di Numismatica e Antichità Classiche,IL, 2023, pp. 273-283. All embellished by a beautiful original dark red "desert" patina.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 315 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.77 mm, 21.73 g). Dated RY 16 (= 111/2). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate half-length bust right, with drapery over far shoulder. Rev. Emperor standing in quadriga right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre and branch; above, half-length bust atop eagle(?) left; L IϚ (date) in exergue. Geissen -. Dattari-Savio -. RPC III, 4666.2 var. (bust type, reverse). Emmett 459. Minor porosity. Very Fine. Rare. Ex Roma Numismatics, 66, 09.01.2020, lot 715. Uncommon drachm especially as regards the small figure, above the horses heads, unknown to Emmett but perhaps representing the apotheosis of Zeus on the flying eagle greeting the triumphant emperor standing on the quadriga.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 316 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.0 mm, 21.11 g). Dated RY 17 (= 113/4). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate bust right, slight drapery. Rev. Biga of winged serpents right, with tails falling into exergue, carrying kalathos with grain ears; L IZ (date) above. Dattari-Savio 1103. RPC III, 4803.4 (this coin illustrates the type). Geissen 648. Emmett 538. Attractive brown patina with some green, areas of roughness. Good Very Fine. Ex Tom Buggey collection. Ex CNG 87, 18 May 2011, lot 905. Ex Agora Auctions, 74, 05.06.2018, lot 179. The realistic bust of Trajan on the obverse is austere and imposing. The reverse scene is very similar to the auspicious image of that shown on nr. 56 of the collection. It has an original dark brown patina and an exceptional preservation despite some greenish porosity on reverse.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 317 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.29 mm, 24.39 g). Dated RY 17 (= 113/4). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate half-length nude bust of Trajan right, with aegis on left shoulder. Rev. Demeter standing right, holding torch, Euthenia seated left, holding torch and ears of corn; between, (small figure of Harpocrates (?) and column surmounted by kalathos on serpents); [L ΙΖ] (date). Geissen -. Dattari-Savio 6991 (this coin). RPC III, 4786.3. Emmett 438. Brown patina, minor roughness, otherwise, Very Fine. Rare. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 6991. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 41, 24.06.2018, lot 319. This drachm reverse of illustrious origin, recalls that of n. 61(of this collection) issued in the same year, though here Eutheria is sitting. Demeter, the goddess of nature and crop and Eutheria the goddess of prosperity, cooperate for the harvest success.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 318 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 36.01 mm, 25.05 g). Dated RY 17 (= 113/4). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ CЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Heroic nude bust of Trajan to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. Demeter on the left, standing right, holding torch in her right hand and grain ears in her left, facing Euthenia on the right, standing left, holding grain ears in her right hand and scepter in her left; L I-Z (date) across field. Dattari-Savio 6986. RPC III, 4784.2. Emmett 436. Lovely brown chocolate patina. Nearly Extremely Fine. Rare. Ex Auctiones 15, 18-19. 09. 1985, lot 395. In this drachm too, perfectly preserved, well centred and with splendid patina, it stans out on the reverse the “OMONOIA”, as in the previous coin Nr. 60 of the collection, i.e. the concord: the complementarity in promoting the fertility of the earth by the two deities in charge, Demeter at left with torch and ear of wheat and Eutheria facing at right also with bundle of ears of wheat and sceptre.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 319 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.35 mm, 25.32 g). Dated RY 18 (= 114/5). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΡΙ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. The Emperor, laureate-headed, in military dress standing left, holding patera and sceptre; to left altar, to right Nike advancing left, raising arm and holding wreath and palm-branch; L-IH (date) in left field. RPC 4862.1.6 (this coin). Dattari-Savio 6951 & Dattari 791. Emmett 478. Geissen 673. Rough brown and green patina. Very Fine. Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung 20, 22-24.05.1997, lot 235. The drachm belongs to the last years of Trajan’s alexandrian issues. It impressively celebrates on reverse the glory of the victorious ruler who brought to the maximum the territorial extension of the Roman Empire.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 320 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.60 mm, 20.27 g). Dated RY 18 (= 114/5). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΡΙ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ Δ[ΑΚΙΚ] Half-length bust to right, wreathed with corn ears, drapery over far shoulder. Rev. Nilus reclining on hippopotamus to left, holding reed and cornucopia; before, genius and nilometer; L IH (date) in exergue. Dattari 993 (this specimen). RPC III, 4871.1. Cf. Geissen 652 (dated RY 17). BMC 2775. Emmett 551. Rough surface. Very Fine. Very Rare. Only three specimens reported in RPC. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 993. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 42, 12.07.2018, lot 312. A rare drachm already in the celebrated Dattari collection showing on the reverse, in addition to the usual peaceful image of the Nilus lying on a bed resting on the back of a hippo, also the singular and uncommon figure, at left, of a genius keeper and manager of the Nilometer column.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 321 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.26 mm, 21.76 g). Dated RY 19 (= 115/6). [ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ Ϲ]ΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ [ΔΑΚΙΚ] Laureate head to right, aegis over far shoulder. Rev. Distyle Greco-Egyptian temple enclosing a cart with a barge, upon which rests a square shrine, surmounted by hawks, enclosing uncertain objects; [L]-IΘ (date) across fields. RPC III, 4951 note (RY 20) var. (wreathed with corn ears) and 4632 (RY 15). cf. Dattari-Savio 1159 (date recorded by Dattari as [L]-IΘ but unclear) and 7278. Emmett 426. Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 1159. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 47, 03.03.2019, lot 274. For the discussion of the potential dating of this issue, cf. RPC III 4632 note. G.M. Staffieri and M. Tosi, ‘La barca sacra di Osiri nella monetazione alessandrina’, in (eds.). D. Gerin and others, Aegyptiaca Serta in Soheir Bakhoum Memoriam (Edizioni Ennerre, Milan, 2008), pp. 229-35. The following article outlines how the design recurs in years 19 and 20, but see below. The design recurs on rare coins of Marcus Aurelius, year 16 (see RPC IV online, citing NY 1944.100.611341 and Münzhandlung Basel 6 (1936) lot 970; see also D3357-8, A Dem 2084). The object in the shrine on the coins of Trajan does not look like a mummy of Osiris (as on the coins of Aurelius), and is perhaps a representation of its external decoration (see e.g. the barge depicted by Staffieri and Tosi on their p. 235). A specimen was also described by D for year 19 (D1159: ‘[L I]Θ’), but the date is not clear on the rubbing in DS (and the obv. illegible), and it is probably safer to regard it as probably another coin of year 15. O815 is the same design, of year 20 (or possibly 19?).
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 322 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.34 mm, 18.71 g). Dated RY 20 (= 116/7). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΡΙ ϹЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ ΠΑΡ Laureate head of Trajan to right, with aegis on his left shoulder. Rev. Trajan driving quadriga of elephants to right, holding eagle-tipped scepter in his left hand and branch in his right; L K (date) in upper right field. Dattari-Savio 774. RPC III 4938.1. Emmett 462. BMC 514. SNG France 1258. Minor roughness, otherwise, Good Very Fine. Rare year of reign. Ex Hirsch 105, 1977, lot 3225. Ex Hirsch 317, 18.02.2016, lot 2088. We encounter here a bronze drachm of exceptionally large form with centred and intact images and an original brown patina spread evenly over obverse and reverse, where the ‘invictus imperator’ is celebrated at the head of a quadriga of African elephants in his twentieth and final year of reign.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 323 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.10 mm, 16.46 g). Dated RY 20 (= 116/7). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΡΙ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ ΠΑΡ Laureate nude bust right, with aegis on left shoulder. Rev. Athena standing facing, head left, holding ears of corn and shield; L K in left field. Dattari Pl. 35, 817 (this coin). RPC III, 4924.1 (this coin). Emmett 423. BMC -. SNG -. Green patina with minor roughness. Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Apparently only one example know, the one cited in RPC. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 817. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 46, 27.01.2019, lot 262. A drachm of prestigious provenance also issued at the end of Trajan's reign, the obverse features a majestic physiognomic portrait of the great ruler, while the reverse is dominated by Athena, the patron deity of his military victory. A coin of absolute rarity and particular charm.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 324 - Egypt. Alexandria. Traianus, 98-117. Emidrachm (Bronze, 27.71 mm, 14.78 g). Dated RY 15 (= 111/2). AY[T T]PAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ΔAKIK Laureate head right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. Trajan, holding eagle-tipped scepter in his left hand and branch in his right, driving quadriga to right; L IE in upper field. Dattari-Savio 753. RPC III, 4639.1/6 this specimen. Emmett 459. Geissen 586. Attractive brown reddish patina, somewhat rough. Good Very Fine. Ex Numismatica Aretusa SA (Franco Chiesa), June 1981. Alexandrine haemidarchm coinages are rather scarce and our well-centred specimen is notable for its beautiful original dark red “desert “patina. On the reverse is the triumph of Trajan at the head of a quadriga.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 325 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 24.48 mm, 12.26 g). Dated RY 2 (= 117/8). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡAΑΝΟϹ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ CЄ Laureate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. Harpokrates standing left, raising his right hand to his mouth and holding cornucopiae in his left; L B (date) in lower left field. Dattari-Savio 1375 (this coin). RPC III, 4996 (this coin cited). Emmett 850. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp.77-81. Apparently the third known example. Toned. Slightly rough, otherwise, Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 1375. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd.40, 27.05.2018, lot 374. Important tetradrachm already belonging to the Dattari collection, apparently to the first issues of Hadrian with his youthful portrait. On reverse is Harpokrates (Horus as child) the deity born of the mystical marriage between Isis and Osiris with whom he forms the Alexandrian triad. His cult in Egypt was practised in addition to Alexandria, especially in Herakleopolis Magna, in Edfu (Apollinopolis), in Mendes, in Pelusium, in Kanopos and in Taua-Buto (cf. Poole, pp. LXIII-LXVI).
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 326 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.99 mm, 14.81 g) dated RY 5 (= 120-121) ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹЄΒ Laureate bust of Hadrian right, slightly draped on the left shoulder, crescent to right. Rev. Asklepios? draped bare chest, seated left on throne, the right leg forward, the left one bent backwards, holding the right hand on altar to left surmounted by vexillum and entwined by serpent and resting the left hand with drapery on the chair, L Є (date) above across fields. RPC III, 5269 (this coin, no. 4). Dattari-Savio 7376 (this coin). Milne - . BMC - . Emmett 816. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Nice tone. Good Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 7376. Ex Emporium Hamburg 66, 2011, lot 252. Giovanni Dattari had opportunely chosen this curious and extremely rare coin for his collection. In fact, the unusual image on the reverse aroused more than one discussion, which eventually focused on the identification of the ‘togatus’ sitting on a throne between Serapis and Asklepios, where the symbols doctrine makes choose Asklepios both for the presence of the serpent around the vexillum and for the absence of the modius on the head, for the beard on the face and the canid Kerberus at feet.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 327 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 24.15 mm, 13,17 g). Dated RY 10 (= 125/6). AYT KAI TPAI ADPIA CEB Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. L ΔE-KATOV (date) Canopic jar right. Geissen 903. Dattari 1325. RPC III, 5578. Milne 1154. Emmett 827. BMC 2839. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp.77-81. Toned. Attractive portrait. Nearly Extremely Fine. Ex CNA IV, 21 September 1988, lot 275. The reverse of this interesting tetradrachm depics the “Osiris canopic jar” referring to the pharaonic worship of the sacred Nile river waters. Canopic jars, both of Osiris and of Isis, contained water of the Nile and they were carried in procession in many places all aroung Egypt to propitiate a fruitful flood and a copious harvest.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 328 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Bronze, 24.72 mm, 13.34 g) dated RY 10 (= 125-126) ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. L ΔЄ ΚΑΤΟΥ (date) around. Eirene draped standing facing, head turned to left, holding ears of grain in the right extended hand, caduceus and drapery on the left arm. RPC III, 5581 (this coin, no. 41). Dattari-Savio 1365. Geissen 906. Milne 1128 var. BMC 593. Emmett 838. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Nice light-brown tone. Exceptional portrait. Extremely Fine. Ex CNA IV, 21 September 1988, lot 276. Very much fascinating and of great preservation is this noble portrait of Adrian as a military leader. The reverse through the auspicious figure of Eirene, also designates him messenger of peace, quiet and prosperity.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 329 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.41 mm, 13.22 g). Dated Λ ΔEKATOY = year 10 (125 / 126 AD) ΑΥΤ KAI TPAIA AΔPIA CEB Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust of Hadrian right, seen sideways from the back. Rev. L ΔE KATOY ( = year 120) The snakes Agathodaemons with “pshent” crown (left) and Uraeus with “basileon” or Isiac crown (right), both on the exergual line, erect and facing; in the folds of their tails, the first holds a caduceus (symbol of Hermanubis) and the second a sistrum (the emblem of Isis). Vogt I, p. 101. Vogt II, p. 48. BMC 668. Geissen 894-895. Dattari-Savio 7508 (same die). RPC III 5596.45, this specimen. Emmett 804. Staffieri, G. M., Alexandria in Nummis, pp.121-122 and 342-343, Muzzano 2017. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp 77-81. Extremely Fine with high definition of details. Ex Numismatica Aretusa SA, (Franco Chiesa)1981. Tetradrachm minted with this reverse only in the tenth year of Hadrian's reign. The imperial portrait is of high artistic quality and certifies the serene majesty of the sovereign. The reverse refers to the Egyptian mythology of the facing pair of snakes: on the left the peaceful male Agazhodaermon sacred to Zeus-Sarapis and on the right the combative Pharaonic female Uraeus sacred to Isis which, together, indicate well-being and political stability, as well as fertility. In this rare example reported only by Dattari-Savio, the tails of the two snakes extend beyond the exergual line, accentuating the perspective and three-dimensionality of the scene.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 330 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Bronze, 24.41 mm, 13.55 g) dated RY 12 (= 127-128) ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. Ptah/Ephaestus standing facing, wearing himation, head turned to right wearing fitted cap with pellet above, holding long scepter in the right hand, drapery and tongs on the left arm. L ΔωΔЄ ΚΑΤΟΥ (date) around. RPC III, 5712. Dattari-Savio 1448. Emmett 882. Geissen 981. BMC 635-636. Milne 1257-1258. Vogt II, 51. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp 77-81. Brown tone e some deposits on portrait. About Extremely Fine. Ex Giessener Münzhandlung, München, March 1997. The reverse of this tetradrachm presents the greek-ellenistic deity Ptah-Efesto (Volcan) that recalls in parallel that Egyptian-pharaonic mummiform Ptah-Sokar-Osiris depicted on Hadrian tetradrachm issued on the same year 12 of reign of the ruler (cf. Emmett 883 and Staffieri, Alexandria in Nummis, pp. 123-124). Both deities are related to funeral worship.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 331 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25.33 mm, 12.76 g) dated RY 12 (= 127-128) ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. ΠΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟϹ around from above clockwise. Clasped hands, L ΙΒ (date) above and below them. RPC III, 5715. Dattari-Savio 1524, this coin. Geissen 979. BMC 670. Milne 1263. Emmett 848. Vogt II, 51. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp 77-81. Slightly porous, otherwise, Good Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 1524. Ex Künker 182, 14.03.2011, lot 664. The obverse of this tetradrachm has a very high style Hadrian portrait. On reverse the emperor was honored with the conferral of the glorious title of “Pater Patriae”, while the hands shake recalls to concept of “Omonoia” i.e. harmony with his wife, empress Sabina, who will appear on the Alexandrian coins from the following year 13 (128-129 AD).
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 332 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 26.45 mm, 13.21 g). Dated RY 14 (= 129/30). AVT KAI TRAIA ADPIANOC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Radiate and draped bust of Helios right; L - IΔ (date) across field. Geissen 1002. Dattari-Savio 1384. RPC III, 5737. Milne 1280. Emmett 852. Cf. Savio, tetradrammi alessandrini, pp 77-81. Portrait of fine style and attractive patina. Minor porosity, otherwise, nearly Extremely Fine. Ex Spink, London, 07.09.1972. Coin of high style on both obverse and reverse and of excellent preservation. The portrait of Hadrian is of statuary relief while the bust of Helios is of an almost feminine gracefulness.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 333 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.93 mm, 13.37 g). Dated RY 17 (= 132/3). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹΕΒ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Nilus reclining left, holding reed with his right hand and cradling a cornucopia with his left arm; crocodile below; L IZ (date) in upper left field. Geissen 1063. Dattari-Savio 1434 corr. (obv. legend). RPC III, 5820. Emmett 876. BMC 2848. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Lovely dark brown patina and impressive portrait. Extremely Fine. Ex Spink, London, 07.09.1972. This tetradrachm, allthough of slightly narrow size, shows all its charm of style and preservation. Practically uncirculated, it shows images on both sides of high relief, almost globular and every detail is sharply obvious. All embellished by an old collection patina.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 334 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25.92 mm, 12.92 g). Dated RY 18 (= 133/4). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Demeter standing facing, head left, holding grain ears and long torch; L IH (date) in upper left field. Dattari-Savio 7400 corr. (date position). Dattari 1333. RPC III, 5869 var (date position). Emmett 832. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Nice patina, almost fully silvered. Good Very Fine. Ex Münzentrum XXIX, 27.04.1977, lot 135. On obverse imperial bust of high relief and courtly style. On the reverse, Demeter is a patron goddess of the fertility of the earth and the abundance of the harvest, often likened to Isis in Egyptian pantheism and combined with Triptolemus, the divine sower of grains from his aerial chariot pulled by winged serpents.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 335 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25.16 mm, 13.60 g). Dated RY 18 (133/4 AD). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Serapis seated left, holding sceptre; cerberus seated left at feet. Dattari 1479 (this coin). RPC III, 5871.4. Milne 1399. Emmett 892. Geissen 1094 (same obverse die). BMC 622. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Portrait of fine style, attractive toning. Nearly Extremely Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, 1479. Ex Nascia, Milano, 1980. Ex Collezione Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Coin with a prestigious pedigree of stunning style and preservation showing on obverse a majestic and a protruding sculptural portrait of the ruler. Zeus-Sarapis, greek-egyptian on reverse recalls the Hadrian restoration of Serapeum in Alexandria.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 336 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25.28 mm, 12.85 g). Dated L I Γ= year 13 (128 / 129 AD) ΑΥΤ KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust of Hadrian right, seen sideways from the back. Rev. CABINA CEBACTH L I Γ Draped bust of Sabina with chiton and peplos right, seen in profile; her hair is gathered up around a tiara and some curls falling down till above the neck. Vogt I, p. 1092. Vogt II, p. 51. BMC 560-567. Dattari 1240. Geissen 997. RPC III 5729. Emmett 886. Staffieri, G. M., Alexandria in Nummis, p. 187, Muzzano 2017. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Extremely Fine with slight overstrucking on reverse. Ex Numismatics Fine Art, Price List October 1988, lot 866. This coin worthily celebrates the imperial couple in the year in which they began their "Grand Tour" through the eastern empire’s provinces and the year before their arrival and stay in Egypt. It is of a superior artistic quality, the work of a Hellenistic-Roman master engraver. The portraits fully interpret the majesty of the imperial couple and bear witness to it forever over time.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 337 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.85 mm, 12.68 g). Dated RY 19 (= 134/5). ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ Laureate head left with drapery on shoulder. Rev. L ЄN-NЄAK Δ (date) Draped bust of Serapis right, wearing kalathos and laurel wreath around. Geissen 1150 var. (legend break). Dattari-Savio 1465 var. (obv. legend). RPC III, 5943. Emmett 889. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp 77-81. Lovely patina with silvered highlights. Extremely Fine. Ex Münzen u. Medaillen, Internationale Münzenbörse, Zürich, October 1972. Practically uncirculated tetradrachm with the singularity, on the obverse, of Hadrian's laureate head turned to the left. Curious then on the reverse is the bust of Serapis with a strange, not very ritualistic hairstyle.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 338 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 34.42 mm, 16.06 g). Dated RY 3 (= 118/9). [ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ] ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΑΔ[ΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ] Laureate bust right with slight drapery. Rev. Nilus reclining left on hippo, holding reed and cornucopia; L Γ (date) in exergue. Dattari-Savio, 1799 var. (date position). RPC III, 5168. Emmett 1015. Edge nicks. Attractive dark brown patina. Good Very Fine. Very Rare. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 42, 22.07.2018, lot 261. Drachm of great rarity (Emmett 5) issued by Hadrian in his third year of reign. Very important on obverse his excellent youthful portrait and on reverse the peaceful and serene image of the Nilus reclining on the hippo’s rump. All immersed in an original light-brown patina uniform and brilliant.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 339 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 34.51 mm, 27.81 g). Dated RY 16 (= 131/2). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Nilus seated left on rock, holding reed in his right hand and cornucopiae in his left; below, crocodile to right; L Iς (date) to left. Geissen. 1056. Dattari 1794. Emmett 1016. RPC III, 5791. Milne 1329-33 var. BMC 788. Portrait of fine style with a nice brown patina. Minor flan crack, otherwise, Good Very fine. Ex Rhakotis Collection, Leu Numismatik AG 13, 15-16 August 2020, lot 1042. Another drachm of relevant style especially for the soft and solemn adult bust of Hadrian on obverse, work of a distinguished master engraver. On reverse Nilus is reclining on a crocodile's back and both leaning on a rock. Relevant the original bright and regular light brown patina on the entire coin.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 340 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 33.5 mm, 28.05 g). Dated RY 17 (= 132/3). AVT KAIC TRAIAN AΔPIANOC CЄB Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Tyche standing facing, head left, holding rudder and cornucopia; L IZ (date) to left. Geissen 1089. Dattari-Savio 1853. K&G 32.555 (this coin illustrated). RPC III, 5848. Emmett 1062. Highly realistic and splendid portrait, attractive reddish-brown patina. Nearly Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex Dr. George Brauer Collection (Numismatic Fine Arts Fall MBS, 12 October 1988), lot 864. Ex CNG 480, 11 November 2020, lot 439. Drachm with flan of particular thickness, well centred and of very good preservation. The bust of the emperor, always well reproduced, shows signs of senility but is realistic in his 17th year of reign (132-133 AD), not detected by Emmett, which makes this coin probably unique.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 341 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 35.89 mm, 27.69 g). Dated RY 17 (= 132/3). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. Draped bust of Serapis to right, wearing kalathos, set on eagle standing facing, head to right; to right, palm frond; L - IZ (date) across upper field. Dattari (Savio) 1822. RPC III, 5841. Emmett 1026. Geissen 1083. BMC 743. Attractive "desert" brown patina with reddish tone. Rough surface, otherwise, nearly Extremely Fine.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 342 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Drachm (Bronze, 34.51 mm, 28.44 g). Dated L I H = year 18 (133 /134 AD) ΑΥΤ KAIC TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC CEB Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust of Hadrian right, seen sideways from the back. Rev. Anepigraph. Isis Pharia is walking right towards the Lighthouse of Alexandria holding with hands and left foot three flaps of the unfolded sail. She is wearing chiton, peplos and basileon on her head while holding sistrum in her right hand and globus in her left. To right the rectangular towered shaped lighthouse with below the entrance portal and along the walls the round windows; at the corners of the upper terrace the statues of tritons playing buccina. On top of the lantern, the statue of Helios-Sarapis, deity of the light. In the field LIH = year 18. Vogt I, p. 105. Vogt II, p. 55. BMC 757 var. (without sistrum). Dattari 1767 p. 85 (same die). RPC III 5895.50 this specimen. Emmett 1002. Milne 1414. Staffieri, G. M., Alexandria in Nummis, pp. 149-150, Muzzano 2017. Extremely Fine for the type of the coin with brilliant green and brown patina. Ex B.A.Seaby Ltd. price list IX/88. This drachm is particularly valuable for its reverse where together with the mythical Isis Pharia the lighthouse of Alexandria is realistically reproduced, one of the famous Seven Wonders of the ancient world, now disappeared. His image was always taken in rare series also by some other Roman emperors and constitutes the only testimony of this extraordinary monument whose destruction and demolition contributed both nature with its earthquakes of 1303 and 1323 as well as the Arabs who conquered Egypt and built the fortress Qaitbey in its place. A clarification regarding the statue that dominates from the top of the lantern of the lighthouse: it is Helios-Sarapis greek-egyptian deity of light and not Poseidon god of the sea or Zeus or anything else.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 343 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian,117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 34 mm, 23.33 g). Dated RY 18 (= 133/4). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ Ϲ[ΕΒ] Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Athena standing right, holding spear and owl; shield at side, LI-H (date) across field. Dattari-Savio 1646. RPC III, 5876. Geissen 1104-5. BMC 695. Emmett 929. Dark green-brown patina, Good Very Fine. Ex Artemide Aste 48 E, 31 July 2019, lot 318. The reverse shows the typical solemn athenian figure of Athena Parthenos, with spear, shield and Corinthian helmet holding in the left hand, the owl of the Lycabettus hill, classic symbol of the city.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 344 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 32.92 mm, 22.84 g). RY 19 = year 134/135. [AYT KAIC] TPAIAN AΔP[IANOC CЄΒ] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind. Rev. L / ЄΝ/ΝЄΑΚΔ Pylon of an Egyptian temple surmounted by statue of Isis standing front, wearing headdress and holding scepter in her right hand. Dattari- Savio 1972. Emmett 996.19. Geissen -. RPC III 6038. K&G 32.670. Flan crack and with light cleaning scratches on the obverse, otherwise, good fine. From the Rhakotis Collection, formed in the 1960s and 1970s. Ex Leu Numismatik AG 16, 22-24 May 2021, lot 2238. The images of contemporary egyptian monuments on the reverse of Alexandrian drachms, are rare and precious for the testimony of their existence and the possibility of their identification. In this well centred specimen you recognize the front pylon with double windowed tower of an Hellenistic temple in Egyptian form where above the lintel appears the typical statuary figure of Isis-Demeter-Sothis with the ritual tunic and "basileion", holding sceptre with her right forearms. We suggest it may be the temple of Isis on the island of Philae-Agilkia as described by Staffieri G. M. in "Il tempio di Isis a Philae nella monetazione alessandrina", Quaderni Ticinesi di Numismatica e Antichità Classiche L, 2011, pp. 231-239.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 345 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 32.52 mm, 24.75 g) dated RY 19 (= 134-135) AYT KAIC TPAIAN AΔΡΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ Laureate head of Hadrian left. Rev. L ЄNNЄ AK Δ (date) around. Elpis draped standing left, raising her skirt with the left hand in apotropaic gesture and holding flower in the right hand. RPC III, 5988 (this coin, no. 17). Dattari-Savio Suppl. 75. Emmett 956. Nice light-brown tone. Good Very Fine. Ex Roma Numismatics 66, 09.01.2020, lot 743. On obverse we see an attractive portrait of Hadrian, exceptionally turned left, a detail that makes the coin rather rare. On reverse there is Elpis, holding the lotus flower, the personification of Hope that according to Hesiod, is the last to stay in the Pandora's box when the evils that spread in the world, came out of it.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 346 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 33.13 mm, 25.48 g). Dated RY 21 (= 136/7). [ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙC ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ] Bare head of Hadrian to left. Rev. Sphinx seated left, wearing kalathos, resting her right paw on wheel; L - K/A across field. Geissen -. Dattari-Savio 1999 var. Emmett 1053. RPC III, 6204.2 (this coin). Good Fine. Extremely rare for this year of reign. Ex Rhakotis Collection. Ex Leu Numismatik AG 16, 22-24 May 2021, lot 2268. The obverse of this very rare drachm, circulated but well legible, is an example of the series of Hadrian portraits facing left, of which it was possible to recognize the hand of a single skilled engraver who Staffieri G. M. has called "The master of the nude head of Hadrian" (Cf. XV International Numismatic Congress Taormina 2015 - Proceedings - Volume II, pp. 787-788; Roma-Messina, 2017). On reverse, the winged Sphinxs with kalathos and wheel is one of the images of Nemesis, the divinity that presides over destiny and distributive justice.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 347 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 34.46 mm, 25.55 g). Dated RY 21 (= 136/7). [ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙC[ ΤΡΑΙΑ[Ν ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ]Bare head left. Rev. Tyche standing facing, head left, holding rudder and cornucopia; LK-A across field. Geissen -. Dattari (Savio) 7798 (this coin). RPC -. Emmett -. Edge cut. Fine. Apparently unique and of the highest rarity. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 7798. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd 55, 09.02.2020, lot 317. This drachm was engraved by the "Master of the nude head of Hadrian" too (cf. n. 89 of the collection) and probably a unique specimen from the famous Dattari collection and not appearing elsewhere. The coin is well centred despite the marginal break that does not affect the images well readable in every detail.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 348 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 33.41 mm, 22.54 g). Dated RY 21 (= 136/7). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ [ΤΡ]ΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟ[Ϲ ϹΕΒ] Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Harpocrates of Mendes riding on ram to left; L-Κ[Α] (date) across field. K&G 32.706 (incorrect year). Dattari 1737 (incorrect year). Geissen -. Emmett 977. RPC III, 6099 (incorrect year) = RPC III, 6176. SNG Paris 1845. Pierced twice, otherwise, Good Fine. Very rare. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, lot 2385. The specimens Dattari 1737, Dattari-Savio 7677 and Paris 1845 are apparently struck with the same reverse die. In the piece of Paris, the one of the year can only be guessed at, but the illustrations by Dattari-Savio (with images of the two pieces swapped, see Dattari Tav. XIV) shown the letter alpha. Therefore the present piece also refers to the same year, even if the letter alpha is not visible. This very rare drachm suffered "ab antiquo" a double perforation without damages to the figures both on obverse and on revers, in particular to the Harpokrates of Mendes, riding a ram with the solar disc on its head, representing a local form of Osiris.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 349 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 33.08 mm, 21.99 g). Dated RY 21 (= 136/7). [ΑΔ]ΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΑΥΤ [ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ] Laureate head of Hadrian left. Rev. Tyche reclining on lectisternium left holding rudder; L/KA in field. Dattari-Savio 7807 & Suppl. Pl. 12, 135 (this coin). Emmett 1063. RPC III, 6220.4 (this coin). BMC 731. Nice brown-green patina. Very Fine. Rare. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, Il Cairo, lot 7807. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 48, 07.04.2019, lot 259. The obverse of this rare drachm, excellently centred and preserved, depicts a portrait of Hadrian, consistent with the hand of the master engraver of Hadrian's nude head (cf. nrs. 89-90 of this collection), who sometimes engraved on the head also a radiate crown, but his "signature" is evident both from the unmistakable style of his hair and his left-facing face, which is one constant feature of his.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 350 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 27.98 mm, 14.63 g). Dated RY 11 (= 126/7). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. L EN∆E KATOV Eusebeia standing facing, head left, right hand dropping incense on Egyptian altar, acerra in raised left. Geissen 958. Dattari-Savio 1694 var. RPC III, 5658.17 (this coin). Emmett 1084. BMC 604. Nice brown patina with some green. Very attractive portrait. Nearly Extremely Fine. Very Rare. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection. Ex CNA Ltd. XIII, 12.04.1990, lot 46. On the obverse of this hemidrachm we recognize Eusebeia, the deified Piety dressed in chiton and peplos, veiled, symbolising reverence, devotion and veneration to the gods, deep respect for people and authorities.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 351 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 28.66 mm, 12.58 g). Dated RY 12 (= 127/8). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹΕΒ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Euthenia reclining left on Andro-Sphinx, holding grain ears; L ΔωΔЄK (date) in exergue. Geissen 989. Dattari-Savio 1709 & 7642-4. RPC III, 5719. Emmett 1086. Milne 1270. Brown surfaces with some green. Very Fine. Ex Spink & Son, London, July 1994. On the reverse of this refined and perfectly centred hemidrachm, we admire Euthenia, the Prosperity auspicious for the abundance of crops. She holds with her right hand a bunch of ears of corn, relaxed and lying on the back of a pharaonic Androsphinx of the Gizali type.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 352 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol (Bronze, 24.83 mm, 9.52 g). Dated RY 12 (= 127/8). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ [ϹΕΒ] Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev. L - ΔωΔЄK Demeter standing facing, head left, holding ears of corn and torch. Dattari-Savio 7601. RPC III, 5722. Geissen 986. Milne 1271. BMC 682. Emmett 1119. Brown patina with green deposits. Good Very Fine. Ex Spink & Son, London, July 1994. Diobol with an imperial portrait of excellent style on obverse, but especially a wonderful original brick-red "desert" patina. On reverse the canonical figure of divine Demeter who prunes nature's crops and harvests.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 353 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol (Bronze, 24.5 mm, 9.52 g). Dated RY 14 (= 129/30). ΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ [ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹΕΒ] Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Serpent Agathodaemon erect, right, crowned with pschent, enfolding caduceus and stalk of corn; L - ΙΔ (date) across field. Dattari-Savio 1986. RPC III, 5755.25 (this specimen). Emmett 1111. Geissen 1004. Good Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 1986, Il Cairo. Acquired from Gorny & Mosch, 2011. Diobol of very good stylistic quality showing on reverse Agathodemon, the peaceful cobra snake, male, with the royal crown pshent, sacred to Zeus-Serapis and patron of grain, vineyards and cities.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 354 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Dichalkon (Bronze, 12.14 mm, 1.36 g). Dated RY 11 (= 126/7). Laureate head to Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder; to right, I. Rev. Star of height rays; L/I/A within. Dattari-Savio 1942 (uncertain date). RPC III, 5710. Emmett 1204. BMC 2922. Very Fine. Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 124, 16-17.03.2007, lot 8142. Fascinating coin with a minimal but perfectly physiognomic portrait of Hadrian on the obverse. On the reverse, the date should be discovered between the spaces of an 8-ray star. The original dark brilliant patina enhances the images of the flan: a small gem made by the master engravers of Alexandria mint.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 355 - Egypt. Alexandria. Antinous, favorite of Hadrian, died 130. Drachm (Bronze, 34.5 mm, 24.63 g). Dated RY 21 of Hadrian (= 136/7). [ΑΝΤΙΝΟΟΥ] ΗΡΩΟC Bare-headed and draped bust of Antinous wearing hemhem crown left. Rev. Antinous, holding caduceus, on horse right; L/KA (date) in field. Geissen 1281-2. Dattari 8013, p. 104 (this coin). Blum 22. RPC III, 6228/14 (this coin). Emmett 1346. Very nice portrait. Pierced twice, otherwise, nearly Very Fine. Very Rare. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection 8013, Il Cairo. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection, Milano, April 1972. This is one of the rare Alexandrian drachms of the best late Hellenistic style appropriately chosen by Giovanni Dattari for his famous anthological collection. It is undoubtedly one of the absolute masterpieces of the master engravers of the Alexandrian mint and worthily celebrates the tragic figure of the young bithinian man who was Hadrian's favourite from 123 A.D. and accompanied him on all his travels in the provinces of the empire, until he perished by drowning in the Nile in an accident that has never been clarified, during the emperor's visit to Egypt with his court. His death took a heavy toll on Hadrian's spirits and body, but he reacted by publicly honouring him with heroic and then divine honours, linking his death to the sacrifice of Osiris, founding the city of Antinopolis-Antinous at the site of his death, instituting the cult of Antinous with respective temples and priestly colleges, having countless statues of him sculpted, scattered and found especially in the eastern part of the empire, and finally having coins minted with his portrait by almost thirty provincial mints, first among all, Alexandria of Egypt. The reference texts of Alexandrian issues are those of Gustave Blum (Numismatique d'Antinoos, in "Journal International d'Archéologie Numismatique", tome seizième, pp. 33-70 + tavv. I-V, Athens 1914) and of Rainer Pudill (Antinoos: Münzen und Medallions, D-Regenstauf, 2014). For comparisons, see Staffieri, G. M. , Alexandria in Nummis, Nr. 95-100, pp. 192-201, Muzzano 2017.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 356 - Egypt. Alexandria. Aelius, as Caesar, 136-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 24.98 mm, 12.60 g). Struck 136/7. Λ ΑΙΛΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ Bare head right. Rev. [ΔΗΜ] ΕΞΟΥ-Ϲ ΥΠΑΤ Β Omonoia standing left, sacrificing from patera over altar and holding cornucopia. Geissen 1271 var. (arrangement of rev. legend). Dattari-Savio 7988 (this coin). RPC III, 6141. Emmet 1350. BMC 921. Cfr. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp.77-80. Toned, minor porosity. Very Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, Il Cairo, 7988. Ex Savoca, Milano, 17.01.1978. There is only one series of Alexandrian coins, from the misture tetradrachm to the bronze obolus consecrating the nomination of Aelius Verus as Caesar, i.e. heir to the imperial throne by the inform and aged Hadrian, but fate would have it that he died before him on 1 January 138 AD. This beautiful tetradrachm, already in Dattari Collection, is of great stylistic value and the images on both sides are statuesque and protruding, almost coming out from the flan.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 357 - Egypt. Alexandria. Aelius, as Caesar, 136-138. Drachm (Bronze, 33.33 mm, 21.80 g). Dated RY 2 (= 137). [Λ ΑΙΛ]ΙΟC [ΚΑΙCΑΡ] Bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev. [ΔΗΜ ЄΞΟ]ΥC ΥΠΑΤ Β Omonoia seated left on throne, holding patera in her right hand and leaning with her left arm on cornucopiae; [ΟΜ]Ο[ΝΟΙΑ] in exergue. Geissen 1274 var. Dattari-Savio 2076. RPC III, 6226. Emmett 1351. Milne 1546. SNG Cop 419. BMC 923/4. Light cleaning scratches, otherwise, Good Fine. Ex Rhakotis Collection 1960-1970. Ex Leu Numismatik AG 13, 15-16 August 2020, lot 1049. This drachm of Caesar Aelius Verus is the largest bronze coin of his Alexandrian series. On reverse it frequently appears the figure of Omononia, i.e. Harmony that would mark the advent of Caesar Aelius Verus and continue the pacifying policy operated by Hadrian in the last period of his principate.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 358 - Egypt. Alexandria. Aelius, as Caesar, 136-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 29.01 mm, 14.49 g). Dated RY 2 (= 137). Λ ΑΙΛΙΟC ΚΑΙCΑΡ Bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev. [ΔΗΜ EΞΟΥC - ΥΠΑΤ Β] Omonoia seated left, holding patera in her right hand and a cornucopiae in her left; [ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑ]. Dattari-Savio 2077. RPC III, 6234. Geissen 1273. Emmett 1352. Good Fine. Ex Numismatik Lanz 4-5. 06.1999, lot 626. Except on the obolus, all reverse of the Alexandrian series, so also on this rare Hemidrachm is repeated in the legend the attribution to Aelius of tribunician power and his second consulship, thus dating the coin according to the Roman calendar: the only exception in Alexandrian coinage.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 359 - Egypt. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25.0 mm, 11.53 g). Dated RY 2 (= 138/9). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANΤωNINOC ΕYCEB Draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. ETO YC Canopus of Osiris with feather crown on cushions, right; B (date) to right. Dattari-Savio 2181. RPC IV.4, 15. Emmett 1373. Geissen 1285-6. BMC 992 & suppl. 2967. Cfr. Savio, Tetrardammi alessandrini, pp. 82-86. Toned. Minor porosity. Very Fine. Ex ArtCoins Roma 4, 05.12. 2011, lot 99. This tetradrachm with on reverse Osiris canopic jar (cfr. also nr. 70 of this collection), has been issued, only during the second reign of Antoninus Pius, 138-139 AD, corresponding in the Egyptioan calendar with the end, respectively the beginning of a "sothic period" of 1461 years, falling on 20 June 139 AD , cfr. Staffieri, G. M. , Isis-Demetra-Sothis nella monetazione alessandrina, in "annotazioni numismatiche" nr. 30, June 1998, pp. 693-697, Milano, 1998.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 360 - Egypt. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Tetradrachm (Billon, 24.91 mm, 13.62 g). Dated RY 3 (= 139/40). ΑVΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤWΝΙΝΟС EVСEΒ Bareheaded and draped bust right. Rev. L - TPIT - OV Dikaiosyne seated left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left. Dattari-Savio 2193. RPC IV.4, 162. Geissen 1318 var. (legend). Milne 1633. SNG Copenhagen 431. Emmett 1377. Cfr. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 82-86. Toned. Good Very Fine. Ex old Canadian Collection. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 45, 09. 12. 2018, lot 213. Of great quality, it shows the, almost globular bust of Antoninus Pius on the obverse of this tetradrachm of excellent preservation. On reverse is Dikaiosyne, the tutelary divinity of justice as attested by the symbol of the scales held by the right arm of the goddess.
Obverse image Reverse image
Lot # 361 - Egypt. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.46 mm, 12.97 g). Dated RY 4 (= 140/1). ΑΝΤωΝΙΝΟϹ ΑΥΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ [ΑΔΡ] Laureate head left. Rev. Dikaiosyne seated left, holding scales and cornucopia; L Δ (date) to left. Dattari-Savio 8132. RPC IV.4, 203. Emmett 1379 var. Geissen 1330 var. Milne 1659. BMC Suppl. 2942. Cfr. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 82-86. Toned. Minor porosity. Very Fine. Rare. Ex Empire Coins 8, 7 December 1987, lot 541. Antoninian tetradrachm of superb style on both sides, with cuirassed and laureate bust of Antoninus Pius particularly high and exceptionally left-facing bust in relief.

Results from 301 to 360 of 726