Roman Imperial Coins

Lot # 255 - Egypt. Alexandria. Aelius as Caesar, 136-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 21.71 mm, 12.24 g). Struck in 137 AD. AIΛIOC KAICAP Bare head right, draped on left shoulder. Rev. ΔHMЄΞ O YCYΠATB Homonoia standing half-left sacrificing from patera over garlanded altar and holding cornucopia. Geissen 1271 var. Milne 1541 var. Curtis 563. BMC 922. Dattari 2075. RPC III 6140.58 (this coin cited). Emmett 1350. Choice Good Very Fine. Ex Joel D. Coen, Inc. Ex CNA Ltd., Sale V, 09.12.1988, lot 186: “this is one of the finest ever seen by this cataloguer”. Lucius Ceonius Commodus was adopted by Hadrian already ill in July- August of 136 AD to succeed him to the throne and assumed the name of Lucius Aelius Caesar but he died before on 1 January 138 AD and his Alexandrian coins are reduced to a single type of tetradrachm and a series of bronzes from the drachm to the obol. Our specimen is one of the best for artistic quality and preservation. Coin of perfect minting on both sides and with statuary relief of engraved figures. Interesting is the fact, unique in Alexandrian issues, that all numerals bear only the date of the second consulate (YΠATB) of Lucius Aelius (137 AD). The expected and auspicious Concord (Homonoia) on the reverse was lost with the sudden and premature death of young Caesar.

Lot # 254 - Egypt. Alexandria. Antinous, the favourite of Hadrian. – died 130. Hemidrachm. (Bronze, 27.00 mm, 10.97 g). Dated RY 21 of Hadrian = 136/7. [ANT]INOOY HPωOC Draped bust left wearing hem-hem crown. Rev. Antinous (as Hermes) wearing chlamys, holding caduceus with his right hand, on horseback right; L K A (date) in field. Geissen 1278. Dattari-Savio 8015. K&G 34a.6. RPC III 6235. Emmett 1347. 21 (R4). Brown, red and green patina with patches of bare metal, light scratches on high points. Very rare especially when compared to the drachm and diobol, and of fine style. Near Very Fine. Ex CNG E-Auction 448, 17.07.2019, lot 323 and E-Auction 496, 21.07.2021, lot 355. This hemidracm of remarkable artistic value has its origin and motivation in the famous personal relationship between the emperor Hadrian and the young favourite of Bithynia, Antinous, tragically drowned in the Nile in October 130 AD during the visit to Egypt of the imperial court. To honour, remembrance and veneration of the deified young Antinous, Hadrian promoted in his last years a series of unique and unrepeatable undertakings in the Roman imperial world, from the foundation of the city of Antinopolis on the site of the tragic event, the creation of places of worship in the Roman East, to the minting of commemorative coins and medals in some thirty mints in the Greek area of the empire, and so on. The mint of Alexandria issued two sets of bronze coins dedicated to Antinous: one of rather handcrafted manufacture with the bust facing to the right and a second of great style and masterful coinage with the face always towards the left to which our specimen belongs, much rarer as hemidracm than the already scarce drachms and diobols belonging to the same sequence. The sensual face and the elaborate "baroque" hairstyle of the Greek-Egyptian ephebe Antinous-Osiris on the obverse is compared on the reverse with the apotheosis of the young lover in the Greek Roman dress of Hermes, knight and messenger of the gods. This numeral is never in splendid condition but always circulated as ours, however, well readable and centred on both sides and with a nice relief of the engraved images.

Lot # 253 - Egypt. Alexandria. Sabina. Tetradrachm. (Potin, 24.12 mm, 12.84 g). Dated RY 15 of Hadrian = AD 130/1. CABINA CЄBACTH Draped bust of Sabina with hair on top of head. Rev. CABЄINA LIE (date) CЄBACTH Sabina seated left holding ears of corn and sceptre. BMC 916. K&G 33.2. Dattari 2065 (this specimen). Emmett 1334. Geissen 1263. RPC III 5773. A superb example of beautiful issue and preservation. Rare. Extremely Fine for the issue. From Giovanni Dattari collection and ex Fontana Collection, Rome. Tetradrachm with on obverse, a splendid statuary portrait of the empress consort Vibia Sabina, one of the best for style and care of the engraving left by the Mint of Alexandria in real time with the visit to Egypt of the sovereigns and the imperial court as confirmed by the issuing date. Calm and solemn the face of Sabina who wears an elaborate ceremonial hairdo. On the other side always stands Sabina with a sceptre and two ears of wheat in the right underlying here her assimilation to Demeter, goddess protector of the harvest. Specimen with prestigious certificate of origin from the collection of Giovanni Dattari.

Lot # 252 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Chalkon. (Bronze, 12.04 mm, 1.04 g). Dated RY 9 = AD 124/5. Anepigraph. Laureate bust right with drapery on left shoulder; I in field. Rev. Cornucopia; to either side L – EN. Dattari 1913. Emmett-. RPC III 5546.9 (this specimen). Dark green-brown patina. Rare.Good Very Fine. From Kerry Wetterstrom Collection. Ex Harvey J. Hoffer Collection (Harmer Rooke, December 12, 1986) lot 1030 (part of). Ex CAN Ltd., Sale XIV, 04.12.1990, lot 38. It is very difficult to obtain a specimen of the smallest numeral issued by the mint of Alexandria - the bronze chalkon - precisely because of its very small size (average diameter of 1 cm and weight of about one gram), which fatally condemns it to dispersion. The example offered here is of special preservation and sharpness, displays the minimal features described above, and allows for easy recognition of the engraved images: both the very small and intact laureate imperial head on the obverse and the auspicious cornucopia on the reverse, all immersed in a limpid, original green-brown patina.

Lot # 251 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Dichalkon. (Bronze, 14.33 mm, 1.42 g). Dated RY 14 = AD 129/130. Laureate bust. Rev. Headdress of Isis with two ears; L IA (date) across fields. Dattari 1918. Geissen 1019. RPC III 5764.24 (this specimen illustrated). Emmett 1189. Milne 1293. Extremely Fine. Ex CNG. Ex Paul-Francis Jacquier, Sale 20, Autumn 1997, lot 442. Here we have a tiny and rare dichalkon of Hadrian of such splendour that it has the privilege of being illustrated in the reference plates of RPC III. And rightly so for the miniature portrait of Hadrian on the obverse, anepigraphic, is an iconographic masterpiece of classical coin engraving enhanced by the exceptional preservation of this coin.

Lot # 250 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Dichalkon. (Bronze, 15.81 mm, 1.79 g). Nome Pelusion. Dated RY 11 = AD 126/7. Laureate head right with slight drapery. Rev. ΠHΛOY LIA Pomegranate. Geissen 3419. BMC 46. Dattari 6348 + Tav. XXXV. Milne 1248. RPC III 6533. Emmett 1321. An exceptional specimen with a fantastic (if tiny) portrait. It is certainly the finest known of this very rare issue. Extremely Fine. Ex Empire Coins, Auction 8. 07.12.1987, lot 844. Here is a small and very rare coin of the Nomes of admirable preservation and with an original black glossy tar patina that makes the images shine. Admirable the minimal portrait of Hadrian so much detailed and recognizable despite the obverse with no inscription. The pomegranate fruit, symbol of the Nomo of Pelusium linked to the funerary cult of Harpokrates, is realistic and plastic on the reverse.

Lot # 249 - 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.

Lot # 248 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol. (Bronze, 19.09 mm, 5.01 g). Dated RY 21 = AD 136/7. AYT KAIC TPA AΔPIANOC CЄB (retrograde) Laureate head of Hadrian left. Rev. Kalathos between two torches; LKA (date) at the exergue. BMC 905. Kellner 6.20. Emmett 1166 var. RPC III 6245.3. (this specimen). Extremely Fine. Ex Malter, Auction II, Beverly Hills (California), 23-24.02.1978, lot 337. Another obol issued at the end of the reign of Hadrian that has two rare variations: first, the head of the emperor turned to the left instead of regularly to the right, then the legend on the obverse is retrograde in spite of the normal, from left to right. The portrait of the sovereign is physiognomic and qualitatively valuable. The reverse is auspicious, of good omen for the agricultural prosperity of Egypt and the modius or kalathos in fact connects to the main deities that protect it: Serapis, Demeter, Euthenia and Tyche. The authors of RPC remark as follows: “These coins are somewhat strange; the bust faces to left, the inscription is retrograde, but also poorly formed. This must suggest that they are (very good) imitations, but the style is very good.”

Lot # 247 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol. (Bronze, 20.50 mm, 4.84 g). Dated RY 14 = AD 129/130. AYT KAI TPA [ ] P Laureate head of Hadrian right. Rev. Horus falcon standing right on club, wearing pshent; L IA (date) in field. Geissen 1014. Dattari-Savio Plate 101, 2044 (this coin). Emmett 1163. RPC III 5760. BMC 829. Milne 1291. Good Very Fine. From the Dattari Collection. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 26, 24.10.2016, lot 151. An obol of full flan and excellent preservation, featuring on the obverse a small but finely styled portrait of the sovereign. The reverse bears the canonical image of Horus as a sacred falcon, crowned with the pharaonic diadem of Upper and Lower Egypt, a reference to the most ancient theology and cults practiced in the historic African kingdom. The coin gains special prestige from its provenance: the famous collection of Giovanni Dattari.

Lot # 246 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol. (Bronze, 19.32 mm, 5.47 g). Dated RY 11 = AD 126/7. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate head right. Rev. Deer advancing to the right; L IA (date) across the field. Dattari 2023. BMC 854-855. Geissen 966. Milne 1234-1235. RPCIII 5680.39 (this specimen). Emmett 1162. Very Fine. Ex Frank Sternberg, Zürich, October 1973. Beautiful Hadrian's obol with a shining original emerald green patina, which particularly highlights the engraved images. The imperial portrait on the obverse is soft and of high iconographic style; the deer that appears on the reverse on the exergual line is nice and elegant.

Lot # 245 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol. (Bronze, 18.50 mm, 5.23 g). Dated RY 10 = AD 125/6. AYT KAI TPA AΔPIAN CЄB Laureate bust right, slight drapery. Rev. Dolphin coiled downward around anchor; L AE across field. Geissen 919. Dattari-Savio 2025. K&G 32.35. RPC III 5612. Emmett 1152.10 (R3). Attractive dark green patina with traces of red. Good Very Fine. Rare. Ex CNG, E-Auction 480, 11.11.2020, lot 438. Another splendid and scarce obol of Hadrian, well centred and patinated with a small recognizable portrait on the obverse and on the reverse a sinuous and nice dolphin twisted and swirling around a powerful naval anchor that supports it. Coin celebrating the "decennalia" of the emperor’s reign.

Lot # 244 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol. (Bronze, 24.34 mm, 10.31 g). Dated RY 16 = AD 131/2. ΑΥ [Τ ΚΑΙ] ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. Isis, crowned with disc, horns and plumes, seated right, suckling the infant Harpokrates, crowned with pschent; to right, palm-branch; L Ι ς in field. Emmett 1138. Dattari 1749- 1750. Geissen 1045. Mionnet VI, p. 178, 1137. Milne 1345-1346. BMC 762. RPC III 5813.55 (this specimen illustrated). Rare. Very Fine. From the Curtis Collection. Ex CNG Sale XXXI, 9-10.09.1994, lot 1375. Magnificent Hadrian diobol of great rarity as well as excellent preservation and style, with a vivid original brick red patina of the "desert" that covers the entire coin surface. Specimen from the renowned Curtis collection and especially rare for the representation of the reverse where the well-known "Isis lactans" here unusually appears, which is instead frequently found on the major size Alexandrian bronzes, so much so that RPC III has chosen it to illustrate in the plates of the repertoire.

Lot # 243 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol. (Bronze, 24.40 mm, 7.21 g). Dated RY 15 = AD 130/1. AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. The emperor, laureate-headed in military dress, seated left, on galley, is raising hand and holding sceptre; to left, mast with sail; to right steersman; [ L I] E in field. RPC III 5785. Dattari-Savio Plate 73, 7525. BMC 871. Milne 1320. Emmett 1127. Nice dark green patina. Good Very Fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 71, 13.02.2022, lot 214. Diobol struck solely in the 15th year of Hadrian's Egyptian reign. Given that the emperor and his court remained in Alexandria until late spring of 131 AD, the reverse scene – showing the emperor triumphant seated on a throne atop the deck of a sailing trireme - suggests that this issue may have been minted to commemorate his farewell and departure from Alexandria which he honoured with his auspicious greeting gesture.

Lot # 242 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol. (Bronze, 25.00 mm, 8.63 g). Dated RY 14 = AD 129/130. AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. Harpocrates standing facing, head left, raising finger to lips and holding hawk-tipped club; behind ram; LI Δ (date) across field. RPC 5754. Dattari 1734. Emmett 1134. Nice brown tone. Very Fine/Good Very Fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 71, 13.02.2022, lot 213. An interesting Hadrianic diobol for the reverse image of Harpokrates in official iconography, depicted alone as a naked child in a pose reminiscent of the Praxitelean statuary, which likely inspired this representation. Harpokrates is the youthful Horus, born from the mystical union of Isis and Osiris and venerated in Egypt since the earliest Pharaonic times.

Lot # 241 - 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.

Lot # 240 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 35.94 mm, 23.65 g). Dated RY 17(?) = AD 132/3. AYT KAIC TPAIAN AΔPIANOC CЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev. Winged Nike sitting on shield, holding a crown and a palm frond; LI Z (date) in field. Dattari-Savio, Supplement 101, ANS 1944.100.58416. RPC III 5849.5 (this specimen). Emmett 1008 (5). Very Fine. Ex Spink Taisei Numismatics Ltd., Zurich, 16.11.1994, lot 827. The dating of this beautiful very rare hemidrachm was indicated by the authority and expertise of Andrew Burnett, whom I do not need to present. It is very well preserved, has a very large modulus, perfectly centred and with a shiny original black patina spread evenly over the entire coin. The winged Nike lying on the shield and showing a crown with her right hand clearly refers to the prospect of victory in the Jewish war, conducted by the Roman army in 132-135 AD which in fact had a positive outcome for the imperial army, ending with the conquest of Jerusalem, since then called Aelia Capitolina, and with the diaspora of the Jewish people.

Lot # 239 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 28.50 mm, 9.89 g). Dated RY 14 = AD 129/130. AYT KAI TPAIA [ ]ЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev. Isis Pelagia, advancing right, holding billowing sail and sistrum; L I Δ (date) across field. Dattari 1753. RPC III 5748. BMC 750-751. Milne 1288a. Geissen 1016-1017. Emmett 1093. Nice brown-green patina. Good Very Fine/Very Fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 71, 13.02.2022, lot 212. The exquisite, physiognomic and high relief plastic obverse bust of Hadrian finds a fitting counterpart on the reverse in the elegant classical figure of Isis Pelagia, sailing the Mediterranean Sea toward the lighthouse and harbour of Alexandria. She is carried forward by the force of a fully unfurled sail, careful angled and held to ensure forward motion toward her destination. An ideal coin for its condition of centring, preservation and patina.

Lot # 238 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm. (Bronze, 33.40 mm, 25.57 g). Dated RY 21 = AD 136/7. Bare bust left with drapery on right shoulder. Rev. Serapis enthroned to left with Cerberus at his feet; LK A (date) across fields. Dattari 1837. Geissen 991. Emmett 1030. RPC III 6197. Brown-green patina. A little bit of corrosion on reverse. Third specimen known. Very Fine. Ex E. P. Nicolas, Maison Platt, Hotel Drouot, 09.03.1982, lot 438. Ex Frankfurter Münzhandlung, Auction 156, 04.11.2022, lot 390. This drachm belongs to the rare and special Alexandrian series featuring nude, uncrowned imperial portraits on the obverse, a topic studied and addressed by the present writer in a paper at the XV International Numismatic Congress in Taormina in September 2015 (see: Giovanni Maria Staffieri, ‘I ritratti senza corona sui bronzi imperiali Alessandrini’, in ‘XV INC Taormina 2015, Proceedings, vol. II, pp. 787-791 + 12 figs., Rome- Messina, 2017). The obverse portrait of Hadrian, well-centred, superb in style and exceptionally facing left, displays a series of distinctive features (especially the shape of the nose and an unmistakable hairstyle) along with the nude bust, which allow us to state that all obverse dies were the work of a single and recognizable master engraver whom I have named the ‘Master of the bare-headed Hadrian’, the author of this high-quality, exquisitely engraved and preserved drachm.

Lot # 237 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm. (Bronze, 33.50 mm, 26.08 g). Dated RY 19 = AD 134/5. AYT KAIC TPAIAN ΑΔ [ΡΙΑ CЄΒ] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. L ЄNNЄAK Δ Eagle on thunderbolt standing facing, head and tail left with outstretched wings. RPC III 5985. Geissen 1154. Dattari 2019. BMC 819. Emmett 953. Milne 1478. Nice dark brown patina, gently smoothed, otherwise About Extremely Fine. Ex Kölner Münzkabinett, Auction 115, 29.10.2021, lot 243. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 73, 08.05.2022, lot 244. What stands out in this superbly preserved Hadrianic drachm is the sculptural engraving of the imposing imperial bust on the obverse, executed in a severe style with careful iconographic detail. This is further emphasized by the evenly distributed original dark brown patina, which also highlights the full sculptural quality of the proud imperial eagle depicted on the reverse.

Lot # 236 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm. (Bronze, 36.55 mm, 27.24 g). Dated RY 19 = AD 134/5. AYT KAI TPAIAN ΑΔ [ΡΙΑ CЄΒ] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. L E [N]N EAKΔ Canopus of Osiris right, with horned crown, uraei, disk and plumes, ornamented with figures. Geissen 1172 var. (different headdress and decorations). BMC 778. Dattari 1652-1653. Milne 1477. Emmett 932. RPC III 5974.38 (this specimen). Dark green-brown patina. Scarce. Very Fine. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection. Ex CNA Ltd., Sale XII, 26.09.1990, lot 135. Another rare drachm of Hadrian with an extraordinarily large flan that particularly allows a complete and detailed reading of every component of the large canopic jar of Osiris (see also items 224 and 227 in the collection), depicted on the reverse - from the atef crown to the details of the lid with the deity’s head wearing the Egyptian nemet headdress, and the ritual scenes decorating the body of the canopic jar. A coin that is fit for in-depth historical-artistic-anthropological investigations of the Osirian theology and liturgy, as commonly practised in Egypt from Pharaonic era to the Roman imperial period.

Lot # 235 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 35.94 mm, 23.65 g). Dated RY 15 = AD 130/1. AYT KAIC TPAI AΔPIA CЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev. L IE (date) in exergue. The Emperor with toga and eagle-tipped sceptre, is standing on quadriga stride to the right approaching Alexandria standing left and holding vexillum in her left hand; Hadrian greets Alexandria with his right hand and Alexandria answers to the greeting with her left hand. RPC III 1780.18 (this specimen illustrated). Dattari 1595 (this specimen). BMC 868. Milne 1314. Emmett 966. Good Extremely Fine. Ex Giovanni Dattari collection, Il Cairo. Ex Dott. Piero Beretta collection, Milan, February 1976. This drachm is an artistic masterpiece of coin engraving. I have already mentioned the journey and stay in Egypt made by Hadrian with his court in 129-130 AD, an occurrence that already at that time had great resonance in the empire and above all had important testimonies in Alexandrian coinage as can be seen in nos. 228 and 229 of the collection, delivered in two splendid tetradrachms. The opportunity arose to illustrate and appropriately commemorate this exceptional political and cultural event on the bronze drachm, the coin of the highest form issued by the mint of Alexandria, and it was necessary here to call upon the talent of an engraver of special skill and artistic sensibility. The result is this coin that is absolutely special in terms of preservation, iconographic value, patina, centring, large module, artistic quality and style of the engraved images. The statuary portrait of Hadrian on the obverse exalts all the sovereign and courtly majesty of this philhellenic emperor and philosopher of immeasurable and grandiose culture and sensitivity. On the reverse, the solemnity and completeness of Hadrian's triumphal entry into the Egyptian capital with great pomp is striking, erected on the quadriga pulled by horses at a trot towards the deified Alexandria that exchanges the Roman salute with that of the emperor. The aesthetic genius of Giovanni Dattari, the first owner of this museum specimen, was able to choose it and bring it into his famous collection where it was among the most prestigious coins.

Lot # 234 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm. (Bronze, 35.70 mm, 22.77 g). Dated RY 5 = AD 120/1. AYT KAI TPAI ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate head right. Rev. Anepigraph. Triumphal arch with three openings surmounted by a tympanum and above, the Emperor’s statue, standing facing on a six horse-chariot, in the act of greeting with his right hand while holding sceptre in his left; at sides, trophies; L E (date) across fields. Dattari 1896. Milne 998. RPC III 5295.8 (this specimen). Emmett 1061 (5). Extremely Fine. Ex Heinz-W. Müller Münzhandlung, Solingen, 1985. This imposing Hadrianic drachm of very wide flan and great rarity strikes the observer first with the beauty of its original olive-green patina, regularly smeared on the entire coin surface. Another notable feature is the enviable centring of the engraved representations on both faces of the coin, which highlights, the monumental depiction on the reverse of the Roman triumphal arch with all its numerous architectural and sculptural details distinctly visible, an occurrence rarely encountered in Alexandrian coinage.

Lot # 233 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 34 mm, 21.81 g). Dated RY 2 = AD 117/8. AYT KAIC TPAINOC (sici) AΔPIANOC Laureate and beardless head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. L B Hadrian driving quadriga to right, holding eagle-tipped sceptre in his left hand and branch in his right. Dattari-Savio 1592. Emmett 960. K&G 32.50. RPC III 5017. Very rare for this regnal year. Attractive brown patina. Some flan cracks, otherwise, nearly Very Fine. From the collection of Eric ten Brink. Ex CNG 100, 7 October 2015, lot 1779. Ex Leu Numismatik AG, Web Auction 26, 8-13. July 2023, lot 2771. Rare bronze drachm issued with the image of a very young Hadrian curiously depicted still beardless on the obverse bust but already in his second reign (AD 117-118). This is intelligible also because in Alexandria mint are recorded no coins belonging to the first Egyptian year of his reign, which lasted only a few days after Trajan's death (9-28 August 117 AD) and probably, with the first issues of our second year of Hadrian's reign (29 August 117-28 August 118 AD) it did not yet have at its disposal suitable up-to-date portraits of the then 42-year-old new ruler. Consequently, the reverse with the triumphant emperor on a quadriga marching to the right here celebrates the ‘adventus augusti’, i.e. the settlement of the new ruler.

Lot # 232 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 23.00 mm, 13.51 g). Dated RY 22 = AD 137/8. AYT KAIC TIPA AΔPIANOC CЄB Laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder. Rev. ΠPONOIA Pronoia standing facing, head left, holding phoenix in right hand and sceptre in left; L KB in left field. Dattari 1450. Emmett 881. RPC III 6252. Nicely toned. Extremely fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 57, 26.04.2020, lot 310. We are at the last months of life of Hadrian, who died in Baia on 10 July 138 AD. This tetradrachm portrays the aged emperor seriously ill. On the obverse the face of the sovereign seems to turn and get lost towards an undefined and lost horizon. On the reverse appears the Pronoia, that is the divinized providence suggesting, with reference to stoic belief, the divine and rational fate that governs the events of the world of humans predicting their events and ensuring that they take place in the best way. It seems obvious the call to resignation of Hadrian in front of the destiny that will lead him to the imminent and inescapable transit in the underworld. But the resurgent phoenix also shows you the hope of a new life beyond life. In short, a coin with deep metaphysical and human meaning at the same time.

Lot # 231 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 25.50 mm, 13.82 g). Dated RY 20 = 135/6. AYT KAIC T PAI AΔPIA CEB Laureate head left. Rev. Mummiform Osiris (Ptah-Sokar-Osiris) standing facing right and holding sceptre; L – K (date), in field. Emmett 883. Dattari 1447. RPC 6088. Geissen 1198. Rare. Nice old cabinet tone. Good Very Fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 56, 22.03.2020, lot 304. Tetradrachm issued in the last years of Hadrian’s reign where the portrait, of excellent style appears on the obverse, facing unusually to the left. On the reverse, the singular image of the mummiform deity Ptah-Sokar-Sothis belongs to Egyptian theology and in particular to funerary cult. It brings together under their respective symbols three well-known members of the pharaonic pantheon: the cap and sceptre for Ptah, the solar disk for Osiris and the shroud for Sokaris, “the lord of the necropolis”. The three associated deities recall the concepts of "mourning" and "life" evoking the pain associated with death along with the hope linked to resurrection.

Lot # 230 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 24.12 mm, 11.50 g). Dated RY 19 = AD 134/5. AYT KAI C TPAI AΔPIANOC CЄB Laureate head left. Rev. IL ЄNNЄAKΔ Bust of Nilus with drapery on left shoulder and taenia with lotus buds to right and cornucopia behind. Emmett 875. Dattari-Savio 1430. Geissen 1148. RPC III 5941. Extremely Fine. Ex Kölner Münzkabinett, Auction 115, 29.10.2021, lot 241. Tetradrachm of Hadrian of splendid conservation with laureate head of excellent style singularly facing left. The bearded bust of the deified Nile is recognisable by the lotus flower buds protruding from the taenia enveloping the hair and the cornucopia sprouting behind the shoulders

Lot # 229 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 26.07 mm, 13.17 g). Dated RY 15 = AD 130/1. AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right. Rev. Alexandria draped, standing facing right, holding two ears of corn and vexillum in the act of shaking the hand of Hadrian, standing in front of her to left; the emperor, laureate-headed, wearing toga, standing facing, is holding sceptre and a hem of toga with left hand; L IE (date) across fields. Emmett 845. RPC III, 5768.95 (this specimen). BMC 669. Milne 1294-1296. Dattari 1267-1270. Geissen 1026-1029. Very Fine. Ex Crippa, Milano, Febbraio 1966. Ex Collezione Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1984. Like the previous also this excellent tetradrachm refers to the visit in Egypt of the rulers together with the royal court, which reached its climax in 130-131 AD (the fifth year of reign) engraved on the coin. That year was saddened by the tragedy of the death of Hadrian’s favourite, Antinous (whom we meet in the hemidrachm no. 254 of the collection), drowned in the Nile in October 130. The reverse recalls the entry of the emperor in the capital of Egypt personified by the divinized Alexandria that greets the sovereign and offers two ears of wheat, while Hadrian, solemnly swampy and armed with the sceptre, reaches out his right hand to meet that of Alexandria.

Lot # 228 - 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.

Lot # 227 - Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 25.16 mm, 12.33 g). Dated RY 10 = AD 125/6. AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CЄB Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind. Rev. L AE KATOY (date) = year 10; Canopus of Osiris right, beautifully detailed. Dattari 1325-1326. BMC 630. Geissen 284-285. Milne 1151-1153. Emmett 827. RPC III 5574.44 (this specimen). Very Fine. Ex Franco Chiesa, Numismatica Aretusa SA, Lugano, maggio 1977. This interesting Hadrian’s tetradrachm first of all celebrates the "decennalia" of the emperor’s reign figuring on the obverse with an armoured bust and a serene and solemn look. On the reverse is the canopic jar of Osiris, already seen in no. 224 of the collection, but here with major and more incisive details both on the lid with the head of the deity surmounted by the ritual atef crown and the body of the vase engraved with the scenes of the Osiris’ mysterical and processional liturgy where stands out at least a basileion.

Lot # 226 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Dichalkon (Bronze, 15 mm, 1.04 g). Dated RY 16 = AD 112/3. struck in regnal year Iς =16 = 112/3. Laureate head of Trajan to right. Rev. Isis headdress; LI – ς across the field. Dattari 1097. Emmett 707. RPC III 4772. Milne 693. Geissen -. Rare. Black patina. Very Fine. Ex Künker Münzhandlung, Auction 124, 17.03.2007, lot 8136. Still a minimal Alexandrian bronze coin, a dichalkon closer by weight to the chalkon and however of beautiful appearance on both sides, first of all for the original glossy black patina, then for the portrait resembling the emperor who makes it recognized in the absence of the legend and finally for the whole Isiac basileion and well readable between the inevitable date that fixes it to the year 112-113. C.

Lot # 225 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan. AD 98-117. Dichalkon (Bronze, 13 mm, 1.42 g). Dated RY 16 = AD 112/3. Laureate head right. Rev. Sistrum; L - Iϛ (date) across field. Geissen –. Dattari-Savio –. K&G –. RPC III 4776; Emmett – ((720) RY 16 unrecorded). Extremely rare, only four recorded in RPC. Brown patina. Very Fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 53, 03.11.2019, lot 248. A bronze dichalkon could not be missing in the collection, the small coin that barely exceeds the minimum, the chalkon that is almost unobtainable. Despite the size we notice a nice portrait of Trajan, easy to recognize, although the coin has no inscription. On the reverse, together with the inevitable date, we can see the sistrum, a musical instrument sacred to Isis and indispensable in the mysterious rites of this deity.

Lot # 224 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Diobol (Bronze, 23.95 mm, 6.61 g). RY 18 = AD 114/5. ΑVΤ TPAIAN C ЄB ΓЄPM ΔAKIK Laureate head right. Rev. Osiris canopic jar to right; in field, date, LI – H. Emmett 649 (5). Very rare. Dark green patina with significant light deposits in recesses and fields. Flan somewhat ragged-edged. Very fine. Emmett frequency 5. From the Tom Buggey Collection. Ex Agora Auctions, Sale 75, 10.07.2018, lot 244. The slight striking fault does not affect the sharp images of this rare and splendid Trajan’s diobol. On the obverse we admire a very realistic portrait of the elderly emperor while on the reverse emerges from the exhibition the ritual canopus of Osiris with the atef crown on his head, placed over a pillow. The Isis and Osiris canopic jars held water from the Nile, were carried in procession to numerous locations in Egypt and there used in the rites of adoration and blessing of the sacred river.

Lot # 223 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Diobol (Bronze, 24.00 mm, 6.89 g). RY 16 = AD 112/3. ΑΥΤ TPAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ΔAKIK Laureate head right. Rev. Isis-Thermouthis in form of Ureus serpent, erect right, wearing the Isis-crown and enfolding caduceus(?) and stalk of corn; date around, [LI] Ѕ. RPC III, 4759. Cf. Dattari-Savio 7285. Emmett 643. Very rare. Good Very Fine. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction 66, 02.01.2020, lot 716. The element that determines the rarity of this beautiful Trajan’s obol is the engraving on the reverse where the traditional auspicious Agathodaemon does not appear but instead is Isis-Thermouthis in the form of a vigorous cobra with the Isiac crown on his head identifying him precisely in this deity who protected the grain and the crops and that here has an evident auspicious and propitiatory intention.

Lot # 222 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Hemidrachm (Bronze, 29.50 mm, 11.26 g). RY 11 = AD 107/8. [ΑΥΤ] TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria surmounted by two Tritons, each blowing a trumpet; between them is a lantern surmounted by a statue, holding situla and sceptre; LI-A (date), in field, at sides. RPC 4245.2 (this coin). Dattari-Savio plate 55. 1111 (this coin). Emmett 638. Extremely rare, only three specimens listed in RPC. Nice brown tone. Good very fine/Extremely Fine. From the Dattari Collection. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 42, 22.07.2018, lot 303. The Alexandrian coins with, on reverse, the full and detailed depiction of the Lighthouse, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, are especially requested and much sought-after by collectors and it is right that this should happen for the real and contemporary testimony of a monument of such fame that unfortunately disappeared with the advent of the Arab domination of Egypt. On this coin the staircase downwards left, leading to the lighthouse can be clearly distinguished, just like above next to the lantern, the statues of the tritons blowing into the whelks, whereas, above the lantern, stands the dominant statue of Helios, the radiated god of light, with the bust of Zeus-Serapis in his right hand and a sceptre in his left. A majestic and worthy specimen belonging to the celebrated collection of Giovanni Dattari.

Lot # 221 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.00 mm, 18.53 g). RY 17 = AD 113/4. ΑΥΤ TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK Radiate bust right, aegis on left shoulder. Rev. ЄIPHNH KAI OMONOIA Eirene draped and wearing wreath of grain, holding two grain ears in her left hand, standing right and clasping right hand with Homonoia, standing left, draped and crowned, cradling double cornucopia with her left arm; [L] IZ (date) between. RPC -. Cf. Dattari-Savio 7008 for obverse type and 868 for reverse (same reverse die?). An apparently unrecorded variant. Very Fine. Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd. E-Sale 53, 7 February 2019, lot 545. This Trajan drachm, of extraordinary large size, image centring and conservation, belongs to the rare Alexandrian imperial series with the radiated imperial bust on the obverse, studied and published on NAC by Staffieri Giovanni Maria, ‘La corona radiata sui ritratti dei bronzi alessandrini’ where it is listed under ‘Staffieri 10’ as the only known specimen of the Dattari collection with year 16 of issue (112-113 AD), while ours has the identical characteristics but is classified under reign year 17 (113-114 AD), so it is to be considered a unique specimen also because it is unknown in the RPC III repertory, of exceptional conservation and with original glossy black patina that strongly highlights the engraved images with all their details. In short, a coin for museum display.

Lot # 220 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.00 mm, 23.18 g). RY 16 = AD 112/3. ΑΥΤ TPAIAN CEB [ΓEPM ΔAKIK] Laureate head of Trajan right with chlamys flap on left shoulder. Rev. Anepigraph. Roman-style triumphal arch with three arches and two symmetrical quadrangular windows above the minor arches; large tympanum on the tiburium with the solar disk in the centre; on the roof in the middle and frontally, the emperor with sceptre on a ceremonial chariot drawn by six horses and, at the sides, trophies and captives. In the field, the date L I(B). Dattari -. Geissen 625. RPC III 4337. Emmett 602. Staffieri, AIN, pp. 79-80, Muzzano 2017. Emperor beautifully portrayed. Dark patina, gorgeous specimen, Extremely Fine. Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker 124, 16 March 2007, lot 8134. Ex Bertolami Fine Art, Auction 67, 11.07.2019, lot 538. An Alexandrian drachm with the plastic and imposing vision of a three-vaulted Roman triumphal arch on the reverse is much sought after, especially as in our case where the sharp and spectacular image in high relief stands out in a coin that does not appear to have been put into circulation after leaving the mint. A splendid specimen, with sharp definition of every detail from the severe imperial portrait on the obverse to the statuary complex decorating the top of the arch on the reverse. A numismatic gem. The depiction of the triumphal arch on the reverse of Alexandrian drachms, which began with Domitian, ended with Hadrian and it is still to be considered rare and of exclusively Roman stylistic character, with no connection to Greco-Alexandrian or Egyptian architecture. It should therefore be seen as an expression of the assertion of the primacy of the empire capital in the intentions of the respective ruler or possibly confirmation of his occasional victorious war enterprise.

Lot # 219 - Egypt, Alexandria Trajan, 98-117. Drachm. (Bronze, 33.10 mm, 15.65 g). RY 15 = AD circa 111/2. ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ϹЄΒ ΓЄ [ΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. The Emperor standing in elephant quadriga, right, laureate-headed, wearing toga, holding eagle-tipped sceptre and branch; in field, LIE (date). RPC 4605.3. SNG 3943. Nice brown tone, bold portrait, Very Fine. Ex Hirsch Sale 113, 1978, lot 175a (part of). Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 67, 01.08.2021, lot 175. Very well-preserved drachm of Trajan, although of lower than average numeral size and weight, but perfectly centred and coated with a uniform original brown patina. The majestic laureate bust of the emperor on the obverse is matched by the animated reverse of the sovereign proceeding triumphantly on a quadriga at the pull of four strong and lively African elephants.

Lot # 218 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, AD 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.5 mm, 20.58 g). RY 14 = AD circa 110/1. AYT TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK Laureate bust right, aegis on left shoulder. Rev. Hermes standing left, holding purse and caduceus; at feet left, Genius (?); in left field LIΔ (date). RPC 4520 (this coin illustrated). Dattari -. Dattari-Savio Pl. 42, 7059 (this coin illustrated). Extremely rare, only two specimens known and the only one in private hands. Attractive brown tone. Good Very Fine. From the Dattari Collection. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 43, 23.09.2018, lot 261. We are dealing with a very well-preserved drachm, of absolute rarity and like the previous one in the collection, also from the famous collection of Giovanni Dattari, and of primary historical-artistic importance for the image on the reverse, the work of a late Hellenistic master engraver, and representing Hermes nude with the features and posture directly recalling the original Hellenistic statuary of Praxiteles, much appreciated and repeated by sculptors in the Roman world. Compare the Hermes of this coin with the statue of the Hermes of Belvedere kept in Vatican Museums.

Lot # 217 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, AD 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.27 mm, 26.29 g). RY 13 = AD circa 109/110. [AYT] TPAIAN CEB [ΓEPM ΔAKIK] Laureate bust right, aegis on left shoulder. Rev. Harpocrates of Pelusium standing right, holding caduceus and raising arm; to left and right, basis on which Jug and paniskos statuette. In the field, L-IΓ (date). RPC 4400.1.2. (this coin). Dattari-Savio Pl. 41, 907 (this coin). Rare. Attractive brown tone. Good Very Fine. From the Dattari Collection. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 45, 09.12.2018, lot 276. Here is a bronze drachm of Trajan, belonging to the famous Dattari collection, of great rarity and preservation and particularly of superior artistic quality as for the style and for the historical value of the scene portrayed on the reverse which combines Greek-Roman-Egyptian theology to the Hellenistic sculpture through the representation of Hermes-Harpokrates of Pelusium, naked standing upright and sinuous of immediate derivation from Praxitelic sculpture that we also find in the next no. 218 of the collection with a similar but different identification of Hermes. This is an obvious Roman reproduction of an original Praxiteles statue with an unmistakable style.

Lot # 216 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, AD 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35.51 mm, 20.02 g). RY 12 = AD circa 108/9. AYT TPAIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Roma standing left, holding Nike and parazonium, crowned by Alexandria (?) staying behind and holding sceptre; in field, L-IB (date). RPC III, 4319 (this coin). Dattari-Savio Pl. 33, 795 (this coin). Dattari 795 and Pl. VIII (this reverse illustrated). Emmett 399 (5). Apparently unique. Attractive brown tone. Very Fine/Good Very Fine. From the Dattari Collection. Unique illustrated in Dattari and RPC. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 44, 04.11.2018, lot 261. A bronze drachm of large size surveyed only by Dattari, from whose famous collection, by RPC III and by Emmett, so it can be considered the only known specimen. Solemn and realistic is the bust on the obverse, while on the reverse we find the unusual pair of Alexandria crowning Rome, as if to signify Alexandria greeting the emperor whose visit to Egypt in 108-109 AD is hypothesised, at a time when various monuments (triumphal arch, nymphaeum-fountain, etc.) were erected in town. Coin of special historical and numismatic interest.

Lot # 215 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, AD 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.65 mm, 24.85 g). Dated RY 12 = AD 108/9. [ΑΥΤ TP] AIAN CEB ΓEPM ΔAKIK Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan right, partially seen from behind. Rev. Anepigraph; in the centre, temple facade in Egyptian form with two lateral pylons each equipped with four windows and linked each other by the entrance portal upon which is standing, facing the pharaonic deity Horus dressed with the ritual tunic and pshent crown on head. She has in her left hand the onas sceptre and right arm stretched out at her side; at her feet on the left, a small animated image facing (Harpokrates). Two hawks wearing pshent crown on head are perched on top of the pylons; L I B (date) across fields. Vogt I, pp.70-78. Vogt II, p. 29. Dattari-Savio, plate 59, 1161 (this coin). RPC III 4330.2.4 (this coin). Emmett 521 (illustrated p. 33). Staffieri G. M., "Il tempio di Horus a Edfu nella monetazione alessandrina" in "Quaderni Ticinesi di Numismatica e Antichità Classiche" (NAC), XLVII, 2018, pp. 237-249. Extremely rare and probably the best specimen known. Very nice portrait. Attractive brown patina. About Extremely Fine and of great monumental importance. From the Dattari Collection. Illustrated in Dattari. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 39, 29.04.2018, lot 332. Coin of fundamental iconographic interest and of absolute rarity attends its improper position described in RPC III 4530.3 as well as, despite the correct description, the incorrect attribution in RPC III 4330.1 of the items Dattari 1160-1161-1162. The importance of the drachm lies in the reverse where the Egyptian temple represented is impressively similar to that of specimen 1161 illustrated in my essay on NAC 2018 cited above and clearly identified in the Hellenistic temple of Horus in Edfu where the relative recognition, in comparing the coins with the existing original monument, it was facilitated not only by the series of four windows being on each tower of the pylon of the facade and the pair of Horus-falcons facing each other on the roofs of the towers (all elements also present here), but also by the anthropomorphic figure of the canonical Horus depicted above the portal between the two towers, flanked at his feet by the image of the falcon, his alter ego. In our case the figure is intentionally replaced by that of his mythical mother according to Egyptian theogony, i.e. Isis, flanked at the feet et pour cause, by Harpokrates, the child Horus. How can we not therefore deduce from these explicit and convincing clues that this too is a representation of the temple of Horus in Edfu, on whose walls Isis is repeatedly depicted?

Lot # 214 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan AD 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 34.40 mm, 21.74 g.). Date L A = RY 1 = AD 27.01-28.08.98. AYΤ KAIC NEP TΡΑΙΑΝ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ Laureate head right. Rev. Nilus reclining on crocodile left, holding cornucopia from which issues Genius holding reed; behind God-river, a reed branch. Below L A. Dattari 973 var. Milne 545 f. SNG Cop. -. Emmett 550. Attractive green-red patina. Good very fine. Ex M&M Basel List 468, 1984, lot 190. Ex Hirsch 317, 18.02.2016, lot 2086. Alexandrian coin issues from the first year of Trajan's reign, which actually lasted seven months, are generally scarce and sought-after, such as our fascinating drachm with its brilliant original brick-red ‘desert’ patina. Unique in the obverse legend with NEP is the reminder of the predecessor Nerva who adopted him with right of succession, a hint later abandoned. It should be noted that the laureate head of the emperor, although well modeled, centered and in high relief, bears little resemblance to his as yet unofficial canonical portrait. Correctly centered on the reverse is also the image of the Nile lying on a bed where the crocodile emerges and the Genius comes out from the cornucopia indicating the number 16 corresponding to the number of stages by which the sacred river must grow to ensure the abundance of cultivated crops with the overflow of its silt.

Lot # 213 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan AD 98-117. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 25.09 mm, 12.31 g). Regnal Year 20 = 116/7. AVT TPAIAN API CEB ΓЄΡΜ ΔAKIK ΠAP Radiate head of Trajan right, aegis on left shoulder and a star in the right field. Rev. Dikaiosyne (Roman Aequitas) standing facing left, holding scales and cornucopia; in field, date, LK. RPCIII 4916. Emmett 372 var. (aegis?). Light patina. Good Very Fine. From the Tom Buggey Collection. Ex Agora Auctions, Sale 75, 10.07.2018, lot 258. Valuable and rare tetradrachm of Trajan with radiated bust on obverse whereas on reverse Dikaiosyne, wearing chiton and peplos, dominates. She is the Justice, morality and fairness goddess symbolized by the scales she is holding in her right hand but she also portrays a deity promoter of a balanced welfare as suggested by the cornucopia she is holding in her left arm.

Lot # 212 - Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan AD 98-117. Tetradrachm. (Silver, 24.00 mm, 12.78 g). Regnal Year 19 = AD 115/6. ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΡΙ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ ΠΑΡ Radiate bust of Trajan to right with aegis on left shoulder; star to right. Rev. L Ι - Θ Draped bust of Nilus to right, crowned with taenia and lotus-buds and cornucopia at shoulder. Dattari-Savio 6865. Geissen 687-8. K&G 27.625 corr. (star not noted). RPC III 4890, 11. Emmett 387. Good Very Fine. From the Trausnitz collection. Ex Hirsch 272, 4 May 2011, 560 and Hirsch 269, 23 September 2010, 2782. Ex Nomos Obolos 23, 12th June 2022, lot 657. Tetradrachm of excellent conservation with old collection patina. Realistic and impressive portray of the old emperor displayed in his penultimate regnal year. On the reverse, the naked and bearded bust of Nilus, of excellent style, is accompanied by his canonical symbols: taenia with lotus flowers, cornucopia and a papyrus branch emerging behind his shoulders

Lot # 211 - Egypt. Alexandria. Domitian AD 81-96. Diobol. (Bronze, 24 mm, 7.65 g). Regnal Year 3 = AD 83/4. AYTOK KAIΣAP ΔOMITIANOΣ ΣEB Laureate head right. Rev. ETOYΣ TPITOY Eagle standing right on thunderbolt. RPC II 2492. Dattari-Savio 584. Emmett 281. Good Very Fine. Ex Numismatic Naumann GmbH, Auction 116, 01.05.2022, lot 681. An uncommon Domitian bronze diobol with a bust of good quality and style on the obverse and with a majestic imperial eagle on the reverse standing on the exergue, so clear that, you can count each single feather of its body: all enhanced by a uniform dark brown bright original patina. The legend of the date is curious, expressed in the genitive with ETOYƩ TPITOY that is "(coin) of the year 3".

Lot # 210 - Egypt. Alexandria. Domitian AD 81-96. Hemidrachm. (Bronze, 29 mm, 14.96 g). Regnal Year 10 = 90/1 AD. AYT KAICAP ΔOMIT CEB ΓЄΡΜ Bust of Domitian left, wearing aegis and wreath of grain ears. Rev. NЄIKH CЄ BACT Winged Nike wearing chiton and peplos is sitting left on two shields, put upon a cuirass, holding wreath in her right hand and a palm frond in her left; date LI left, in field. Vogt I, pp. 45-47, 51-53. Vogt II, p.20. Emmett 270 var. = unicum (bust facing right) (R4). Dattari-Savio 515 var. (bust facing right). K&G 24.107 var. (same). RPC II 2573 var. = unicum (same). Geissen -. Very rare. Green and brown patina. Exceptionally fine style. Extremely Fine. EX Classic Numismatic Group Inc., Auction 105, 10.05 2017, lot 599. Truly exceptional Domitian Hemidrachm for various reasons: preservation practically as if not circulated; original emerald green patina on the entire coin; grandmaster style of engraving on both sides; statuesque images in very high relief. In short, a numismatic jewel with a unique variant issued to celebrate Domitian's "decennalia" in 90-91 AD. It was the subject of an article of mine on NAC 2017 (pp. 109-117): Domiziano a Roma, Alessandria e Copenhagen – una scoperta. The authors of RPC note in their introductory comments for Domitian that “From year 10 the style of the engraving improves dramatically and a number of variant bust types are found.” This is an understatement, as this is one of the best examples of engraving work from the Alexandrian mint seen by this cataloguer, and most likely executed by an artist brought to Alexandria from Rome or in one of the mints in Asia Minor.

Lot # 209 - Egypt. Alexandria. Domitian AD 81-96. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 24.5 mm, 13.42 g). Dated RY 6 = circa AD 86/7. AYT KAIΣ DOMITIANOΣ ΣЄΒ ΓЄΡΜ Laureate head right. Rev. NEIΛΟΣ River-God Nilus reclining left, holding grain ears and cornucopia; below, two lotus flowers and hippo standing right; in the left field date, LI. RPC II, 2522. Dattari-Savio pl. 16, 442 (this coin). Emmett 246 (5). Extremely rare. Attractive old cabinet toning. Good Very Fine. Only two specimens know and the only one in private hands. From the Dattari Collection. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 41, 24.06. 2018, lot 308. Domitian was the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty and minted many Alexandrian bronzes during his 15-year reign, but only occasionally (in years 4, 6 and 8) minted silver tetradrachms like ours of the year 6 (86-87), of absolute rarity and valuable style, coming from the famous Giovanni Dattari collection. It is also the only Alexandrian coin with the legend on the reverse that expressly indicates the Nile as the deity engraved on the roundel with all the attributes: crown of lotus flowers, cornucopia, ears of wheat, other lotus flowers emerging from the waters of the river and the hippopotamus.

Lot # 208 - Egypt. Alexandria. Titus, 79-81. Tetradrachm. (Billon, 24.7 mm, 12.31 g). Dated RY 3 = AD 80/1. ΑΥ [ΤΟΚ ΤΙΤΟΥ ΚΑΙΣ] ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ ΣΕΒ Laureate head of Titus to right. Rev. ΟΜΟ ΝΟΙΑ Homonoia sitting left, holding branch; date, LΓ in left field. Dattari 423. Geissen 322. RPC II 2467. Emmett 233. Nicely toned, About Extremely Fine/ Good Very Fine. Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd., Auction 56, 22.03.2020, lot 282. A splendid tetradrachm from the penultimate year of Titus' reign, which is presented on the obverse with a portrait-bust of high stylistic and physiognomic value. The Homonoia on the reverse is the divine Concord that informed and protected the unfortunately brief reign of the great emperor, described by contemporary historians as the ‘delight of mankind’.

Lot # 207 - Egypt. Alexandria. Vespasian, 69-79. Obol. (Bronze, 22 mm, 5.74 g). Dated RY 5 = AD 82/3. ΑΥΤΟΚ [ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑ] ΣΙΑΝΟΥ Laureate head of Vespasian, right. Rev. Hawk standing right, wearing pshent crown and LE (date), left in the field. RPC II 2440. Dattari-Savio 415-6. Emmett 222. Near Very Fine. Ex Numismatik Naumann GmbH, Auction 116, 01.05.2022, lot 680. The obol is the minimal bronze numeral minted by Vespasian which stands out here for its stylish, miniaturised bust that retains the physiognomic features of the sovereign. The falcon on the reverse with pshent crown is the pharaonic god Horus, son of the mystical marriage between Isis and Osiris.

Lot # 206 - Egypt. Alexandria. Vespasian, 69-79. Diobol. (Bronze, 27 mm, 10.03 g). Dated RY 5 = 72/3. ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ [ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ] Laureate head of Vespasian, right. Rev. Draped bust of Serapis right, modius on head and at right, date L E in the field. RPC II 2437. Dattari-Savio 400. Emmett 218. Very Fine. Ex Numismatik Naumann GmbH, Auction 116, 01.05.2022, lot 679. Rare bronze diobol of Vespasian of large size and excellent preservation. An exceptional feature is the inverted minting, i.e. the reverse on the anvil die and the obverse on the hammer die. Peaceful and calm the portrait of the emperor on the obverse and solemn the bust of Serapis on the reverse, engravings enhanced by a brilliant uniform original brown patina.