EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34.5mm, 25.01 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 140/1). Near VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 683. Estimated: $ 500

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 1 900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34.5mm, 25.01 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 140/1). Laureate head right / Sobek/Kronos standing facing, head left, veiled and wearing solar disk, holding crocodile and sickle, L TЄT A PTOV Δ (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2686 = RPC IV.4 230.2 = Figari & Mosconi 656 (this coin); K&G 35.92-93 var. (bust type; this rev. illustrated for 35.93); Emmett 1599.4 (R3). Brown patina, minor marks. Near VF. Extremely rare, the finest of two recorded in RPC.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Astarte XXIII (28 October 2024), lot 373; Auctiones AG 26 (16 September 1996), lot 415; Kölner Münzkabinet 26 (23 November 1979), lot 316; Giovanni Dattari (†1923) Collection.

Kampmann & Ganschow record two variations of the Kronos reverse type for Antoninus Pius, both with different obverse legends and bust types, but the coin illustrated for 35.93 is Dattari 2686, paired with a laureate head right, is not recorded in K&G.

Sobek/Kronos gained prominent stature among the Egyptian pantheon during the Middle Kingdom, under the 12th Dynasty pharaoh Amenemhat III. His position was further strengthened during the waning years of the Ptolemaic and Roman era. The Faiyum region, including the cities of Shedet, the capital of the Arsinoite nome, also known as Crocodilopolis, and Kom Ombo, located near the important city of Aswan, was the religious center of the cult. The deity was closely associated with the crocodile, sharing the animal’s aggressive and unpredictable temperament. He became known as a benevolent god, his fierceness warded off evil while defending the innocent. Mummified crocodiles, many with eggs or hatchlings, are common finds in the Faiyum region. The ‘Book of the Faiyum’ centered on the sun god Sobek-Re’s journey throughout the day, beginning at Lake Moeris (unlike the underworld in ‘The Book of The Dead’); growing old during the day, and waking reborn at sunrise. The book incorporates several local creation myths and also serves as a map to the Faiyum region. It was written by Sobek priests during the Ptolemaic era.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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