A Masterpiece of Artistic Workmanship

Triton XXI, Lot: 116. Estimate $7500. Sold for $6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 25.67 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 139/140). AVT K • T AIΛ A∆P • ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB •, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust right of Sarapis, wearing an ornate kalathos; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8668 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 1647.3 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 114 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare type for this regnal year, and probably the finest known.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, November 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8668.

Another wonderful bronze from the Staffieri collection, which he called “stato zecca” (or “Mint State”) in the catalogue of his collection. While it does show some wear on the highpoints, it is hard to imagine a better example existing.