EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 29.39 g, 12h). Hermopolites Nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145).

Electronic Auction 477
Lot: 340. Estimated: $ 200

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 29.39 g, 12h). Hermopolites Nome. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). Laureate head right / [ЄPM]O ΠΟΛITHC, Hermes-Thoth standing facing, head left, holding ibis and caduceus; at his feet, baboon with lunar disk on head; [L] H (date) across lower field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6272; K&G N18.9; Emmett 1830.8 (R4). Dark brown surfaces with touches of green, light roughness. Near VF. Very rare.

From the Stein A. Evensen Collection. Ex John A. Seeger Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 172, 5 September 2007), lot 139 (hammer $465).

The nomes were the 42 traditional administrative districts of ancient Egypt. Periodic coin issues in their name were struck at Alexandria (proven by obverse die links) under Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, with distinctive types usually related to the local cults. Nome coinage appears to be genuinely rare, and not struck in sufficient quantities to be a circulating coinage. The reasons for their striking may never be clear, but the issues of regnal year 8 of Antoninus Pius are probably related to the celebration of the Great Sothic Cycle.

Closing Date and Time: 23 September 2020 at 11:53:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.