Sabina as Demeter

CNG 109, Lot: 456. Estimate $500. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Sabina. Augusta, AD 128-136/7. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.61 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/131). CABINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right, wearing stephane / CABЄINA CЄBACTH, Sabina, as Demeter, seated left, holding two grain ears with her extended right hand and a long scepter with her left; L IE (date) in upper left field. Köln 1263-4; Dattari (Savio) 2061; K&G 33.2; RPC III 5773; Emmett 1334.15. VF, toned, light porosity.

From the New Orleans Collection. Ex Kirk Davis FPL 57 (Spring 2010), lot 92.

The reverse of this scarce issue depicts Sabina as Demeter (or perhaps Isis-Demeter if she is wearing an Isis crown instead of a stephane). It is also interesting to note the difference in the spelling of her name between the obverse and reverse (CABINA versus CABЄINA), which clearly indicates a lack of consistency among the engravers.