Magnificent Tetradrachm of Hadrian & Sabina

Triton XXI, Lot: 62. Estimate $5000. Sold for $9500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian, with Sabina. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.11 g, 11h). Dated RY 13 (AD 128/129). AVT KAI TPAI A[∆]PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Hadrian / CABINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right of Sabina, wearing stephane; L IΓ (date) upward behind. Köln 997; Dattari (Savio) 1249 (this coin); K&G 32.469; RPC III 5729/25 (this coin); Emmett 886.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 91 (this coin). Choice EF, toned, one small spot of verdigris on the reverse. An exceptional, high relief specimen with portraits of the finest style.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1249.

This type was minted beginning in Hadrian’s regnal year 13, one year before his arrival in Egypt, and continued through his 20th regnal year. In his comments about this particular coin, Giovanni commented: “Our specimen does not need a particular illustration: unless proven otherwise, it is, in all respects, the best in the absolute sense of what is known and published.”