EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (23.5mm, 13.57 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 120/1). VF.

Electronic Auction 567
Lot: 380.
Closing Date: Jul 31 2024 10:00 ET

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Billon

Estimate: $ 200

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (23.5mm, 13.57 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 120/1). Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder; crescent below chin / Hadrian, togate, seated left on curule chair, resting his right hand on altar(?); L Є (date) across upper field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1266 = RPC III 5260.7 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 840 (R5). Toned with light porosity. VF. Very rare.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 318 (15 January 2014), lot 476; Giovanni Dattari Collection.

Emmett, Milne, and RPC describe the reverse type as emperor “resting right hand on altar,” Dattari owned a second example, also plated, and assigned no. 7366. The so-called “altar” does not look like any ancient altar this cataloguer is familiar with, and indeed, looks more like a small obelisk. It has a rectangular base decorated with dots, or perhaps an animal skin, and the triangular pediment contains a single pellet. Hadrian is resting his right hand on the peak of this pediment.

Closing Date and Time: 31 July 2024 at 12:06:20 ET.

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