Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 29.00 mm, 14.69 g). Dated RY 19 = AD 134/5. AYT KAIC TPAIAN AΔPIANOC CЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev. L ЄNNЄAKΔ The Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria, surmounted by a statue and two Tritons blowing a buccinum (trumpet). Dattari-Savio 1934. Emmett 1103. K&G 32.690. Milne 1483. RPC III 6067. Rare and unusually attractive. Somewhat rough, otherwise, Very Fine. From the Rhakotis Collection, formed in the 1960s and 1970s (with collector’s ticket). Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 13, 15-16 August 2020, lot 1048. The reverse of this well-struck and pleasant Hadrian’s hemidrachm revisits the dominant theme of the mythical Lighthouse of Alexandria - a privileged emblem of Egypt’s capital and one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World - already encountered in Trajan’s hemidrachm at no. 222 in the collection. Often paired with Isis Pelagia on bronze drachms, here the goddess appears as Isis Pharia. Once more the full tiered structure of the lighthouse is visible, diminishing in size upwards and culminating in the statue of Helios, the sun god, atop the lantern. Noteworthy also is the shiny black original patina that envelops the coin.