

Egypt. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Drachm (Bronze, 31.63 mm, 18.78 g). Dated RY 22 (= 158/9). [ΤΙ ΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ] ΑΝΤ [ΩΝΙΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΕΥ] Laureate head left. Rev. Bust of Nile right, crowned with lotus, slight drapery on far shoulder, holding reed and cornucopia; L / B-K (date) across upper field. Geissen -. Dattari-Savio 2724 & 8609, Suppl. Pl. 17, 82 (this coin). RPC IV.4, 2101.10 (this coin cited). Milne 2392. Emmett 1614. Roughness. Good Fine/Near Very Fine. Rare.
Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, Suppl., Plate 17, 82. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 41, 24.06.2018, lot 354.
Here we are in the last phase of the reign of Antoninus Pius, well expressed by the drooping but always proud portrait of the sovereign facing as rarely to left. The solemn bust of the Nile on the reverse with its canonical symbols: lotus flower, papyrus branch and cornucopia is gigantic, compared to the small size of the coin.