Regnal Year 8 Tetradrachm for Julia Mamaea

CNG 109, Lot: 504. Estimate $1000. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Julia Mamaea. Augusta, AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (23.4mm, 10.70 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 of Severus Alexander (AD 228/229). Draped bust right, wearing stephane / Helmeted bust of Athena Parthenos right, wearing aegis; L H (date) to right. Köln – ; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; Curtis 1122 (this coin) = Emmett 3195.8 (R5). VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of red, die flaw on aegis. Extremely rare if not possibly unique.

From the New Orleans Collection, purchased from Nilus Coins (November 1998). Ex James W. Curtis Collection, no. 1122.

Alexandrian coinage for Julia Mamaea from Severus Alexander’s regnal year 8 is extremely rare, with only three tetradrachm types reported by Emmett (Athena bust right, Nike flying left, and Tyche standing left; all R5). Severus’ year 8 coinage is also extremely rare with only seven types reported by Emmett. Obviously, the Alexandrian mint was barely active during this particular regnal year.