Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol. (Bronze, 19.50 mm, 5.29 g). Dated RY 22 = AD 137/8. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤYP AΔPIANOC CЄB Laureate head left. Rev. Bust of Harpocrates wearing taenia and hem-hem crown; drapery on left shoulder; to right, pomegranate; LK – B across field. RPC III 6258. Emmett 1161 var. Dattari-Savio 1739 (this coin). Attractive brown tone. Good Very Fine/Very Fine. From the Giovanni Dattari collection and ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 30, 02.04.2017, lot 226. This rare coin, which I studied and commented on in Quaderni Ticinesi di Numismatica e Antichità Classiche (NAC) 2019, pp. 149 - 158, to which I refer, is not only in excellent condition, but also holds particular significance from both a historical and human perspective due to its reverse. On the obverse we find the vivid yet aged bust of Hadrian facing left, which is matched on the anepigraphic reverse by the bust of Harpokrates of Pelusium draped in chlamys facing right. This depiction - different from the classic one encountered on the diobol at n. 242 of the collection - features also taenia on head with hem-hem crown on top and a pomegranate apple in front. This Harpocrates is in fact a typical psycho-pompic deity, that is to say, he performs the function of accompanying the souls of the deceased into the afterlife, acting as a simple guide through the underworld. And rightly so in our case, as it concerns the elderly sovereign in frail health, almost foreshadowing his imminent death, which indeed occurred on 10th July 138 in Baia, just before the end of his twenty-second year of reign - precisely the regnal year indicated on our coin. Besides this specimen boasts the added merit of having belonged to the illustrious collection of Giovanni Dattari.