Egypt, Alexandria. Septimius Severus 193-211. Tetradrachm (Billon, 23.43 mm, 11.25 g). Dated RY 9 = AD 200/1. AYT K Λ CЄΠ CЄYH ЄYCЄ ΠЄPT CЄB APAI AΔI Laureate head right. Rev. Julia Domna (wife of Septimius Severus) standing between Geta and Caracalla, facing right, holding wreath and sceptre; Geta, standing on her right, is holding sceptre and globus, while Caracalla, standing on her left, is holding sceptre and Nike. Dattari-Savio Plate 215. Geissen-. K&G 49.32 (this coin cited). Emmett 2665 (5). Extremely rare. Marvellous patina. Very fine. From Phoibos collection. Ex Sternberg, Auction XII, Zürich 1982, Nr. 659. Ex Künker, Auction 330, 16-17.10.2019, lot 1495. In general, the Alexandrian coinage of the first Severi, from Septimius to Caracalla, is scarce and mainly dedicated to the dynastic propaganda of the family, as is the case of our tetradrachm, of absolute rarity and artistic value. Known in only 3 specimens one of which, of conservation much inferior to the present and already in my collection (cf. Staffieri Giovanni Maria, Alexandria in Nummis, pp. 387-388, n. 194, Muzzano, 2017) was beaten in the auction Triton XXI, 0 9.01. 2018, lot no. 194, at $ 2,750. Our piece is perfectly sharp, well centred and complete in the depictions with all details and with original old collection patina. The noble portrait of Septimius Severus on obverse is, among the best known for style and physiognomy, as the grandiose but clearly understandable, complex legend that surrounds it. The reverse is entirely dedicated to the dynastic propaganda of the imperial family, but also celebratory of his journey and stay in Egypt in AD 199-200. Imposing in the centre the figure of the empress consort Julia Domna with her two teenage sons: on the right the first-born Caracalla, already Augustus from 197 AD, also distinguished in stature by the second son Geta, on the left, Caesar as well from 197 AD. According to Künker: “Joseph Eckhel already emphasised the rarity of Alexandria Septimius Severus’s coins and this rarity has not changed. Eric Christiansen does not list this exceptionally rare type whereas Keith Emmett gives it R5”.