Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 25.63 mm, 13.29 g). Dated RY 13 = AD 128/9. AYTKAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev. CABINA CЄBACTH Diademed and draped bust of Sabina right, seen from behind; LIΓ (date) in field. Dattari 1249. Geissen 997. Milne 1272-1273. BMC 566-567. RPC III 5729.31 (this specimen). Emmett 886. Unpublished die of the highest statuary relief. Extremely fine. Ex Spink & Son, London, 17.04.1974. Here we are in the presence of a spectacular tetradrachm, first of all for the state of conservation practically not circulated, then for the extraordinary relief of the imperial portraits, so strongly protruding as to appear to come out of the flan, and again for the excellent style of the engraving, the work of an anonymous unsurpassed master. It is a prestigious museum coin of unpublished and unparalleled coinage. But this artistic splendour was fully justified by the event that determined it, namely the long and laborious journey to Egypt of Hadrian with his consort Sabina and all the court, begun in 129 AD as is confirmed by the inscription on the reverse of the thirteenth year of the emperor’s reign: L IΓ = year 13 = 128-129. These portraits of the imperial couple fully express all the majesty and dignity of their institutional function.