The First Roman Alexandrian Coin

343, Lot: 362. Estimate $100. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Diobol – 80 Drachmai (26mm, 15.93 g, 12h). First series, struck circa 30-28 BC. Bare head right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π to right. Köln 1; Dattari (Savio) 2; K&G 2.5; RPC I 5001; Emmett 1. Fine, reddish-brown patina with some green highlights/deposits. The first Roman Alexandrian coin.

From the Colin Kirk Collection. Ex John A. Seeger Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 172, 5 September 2007), lot 130.

The first coinage of the new province of Egypt was a direct copy of the bronze coinage of Cleopatra, the last Ptolemaic ruler, with the portrait of Augustus replacing the Queen’s. Egypt, wealthy and a vital source of grain for the empire, was to be never allowed again as a potential leaping-off point for a rival emperor. The new province was held under tight control by the emperor. Its governor was to be an equestrian prefect answerable to Augustus, with a legion under his direct command. The Senate would have no say in the administration of the province, and in fact, senators were forbidden to travel there without permission.