EGYPT. Alexandria. Commodus (180-193). BI Tetradrachm. Dated RY 29 (AD 188/9).

Obv: Μ Α ΚΟΜ ΑΝΤω ϹΕΒ ΕΥϹΕΒ.
Laureate head right.
Rev: L ΚΘ (date).
Ship sailing right; waves below; Pharos to left.

RPC IV.4 3539; Dattari (Savio) 3903; Emmett 2542.29.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was named after the island of Pharos, located in front of the city, on which it stood, and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a list compiled in the Hellenistic age. In reconstructing the appearance of the lighthouse, the description of Strabo, who speaks of a multi-story tower built of white stone, dedicated by Sostratus of Knidos to ensure the safety of sailors, is essential. Ancient representations of the lighthouse are rather general and dated to the 1st-2nd centuries AD. For this purpose numismatic documentation proves the most useful. On coins, such as this Hadrian's drachm, some essential features of the monument can be recognized, such as the square plan of the upper lower body, equipped with overlapping windows. The two upper levels, often reduced to one, were octagonal and cylindrical in shape respectively. On the top was located the large burning fire and sculptural groups.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 11.77 g.
Diameter: 23 mm.