EGYPT, Alexandria. Nero, with Divus Augustus. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.62 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 66/7). Near VF.

Electronic Auction 573
Lot: 454.
Closing Date: Oct 23 2024 10:00 ET

Roman Provincial, Billon

Estimate: $ 100

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Nero, with Divus Augustus. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.62 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 66/7). Radiate bust left, wearing aegis; L IΓ (date) before / ΘEOΣ ΣEBAΣTOΣ, radiate head of Divus Augustus right. Cf. Köln –; cf. Dattari (Savio) 184; cf. K&G 14.100; cf. RPC I 5294; cf. Emmett 113.13; William E. Metcalf, “Two Alexandrian Hoards. 1. A Hoard of Forgeries from Luxor,” (Revue Belge de Numismatique Vol. CXXII, 1976, pp. 65-69) Obv. VII/Rev. 13 (same dies). Toned, light porosity, minor deposits. Near VF. Extremely rare.

According to Metcalf’s article: “Thus a hoard of Alexandrian forgeries in the collection of the American Numismatic Society is of particular interest. It was acquired at Luxor in March, 1908, by the late E. T. Newell. The 76 pieces still in the ANS may or may not represent the entire hoard, since Newell was in the habit of disposing of duplicate or damaged specimens; but the presence of many die-duplicates suggests that the hoard was not systematically culled.”

All known forgeries are die matches to the coins published by Metcalf in 1976. Hence, most likely, they are part of the Luxor hoard acquired by Newell, and were either sold by him, or by the person(s) that he purchased his group from in 1908. In any case, contemporary counterfeits of Alexandrian coins, as noted by Metcalf, are extremely rare.

Closing Date and Time: 23 October 2024 at 12:31:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.