CNG 96, Lot: 691. Estimate $500. Sold for $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (33mm, 24.94 g, 11h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/1). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Hadrian, holding scepter, in quadriga right, being hailed by Alexandria; above, Nike flying left, presenting wreath; [L] IE (date) in exergue. Köln 1038; Dattari (Savio) 1596; K&G 32.511; Emmett 966. VF, brown patina, minor roughness, Nike weakly struck on the reverse.

An extensive series of billon and bronze issues commemorates Hadrian’s triumphant tour of Egypt in AD 130. The trip was marred by the tragic and mysterious death of Hadrian’s young companion, Antinous, on their boat trip up the Nile.