CNG Triton XXI Staffieri

TRITON XXI In Conjunction with the 46th Annual New York International

The Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection of the Coins of Roman Alexandria

January 9, 2018

TRITON XXI

In Conjunction with the 46th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention

January 9, 2018

Empire State Ballroom I, Ballroom Level (5th Floor) Grand Hyatt Hotel, 109 East 42nd Street, New York

The

Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection of the

Coins of Roman Alexandria

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.

United States Office: PO Box 479, Lancaster, PA 17608-0479, U.S.A. Tel: (717) 390-9194 Fax: (717) 390-9978

United Kingdom Office: 20 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QA, U.K. Tel: +44 (20) 7495 1888 Fax: +44 (20) 7499 5916

Email: cng@cngcoins.com

Website: www.cngcoins.com

Grading Conditions English

Proof

Mint State/Uncirculated

Extremely Fine (EF)

Very Fine (VF)

Fine Good/Fair

Deutsch

Polierte Platte Stempelglanz Vorzüglich Sehr Schön Schön Gut

Français

Flan Bruni Fleur de Coin Superbe Très Beau Beau Bien

Italiano

Fondo Specchio Fior di Conio Splendido Bellissimo Molto Bello Bello

Common Abbreviations

AD Anno Domini BE Bithynio-Pontic Era IY Indictional Year Æ Bronze BI Billon MBS Mail Bid Sale AE Actian Era CE Common Era mm Mintmark AH Anno Hegirae Cf. Confer (compare) PB Lead AR Silver c/m Countermark p.

Page AV Gold CY Civic Year (Era) pl.

Plate

BBS Buy or Bid Sale EL Electrum RPE Roman Provincial Era BC Before Christ FPL Fixed Price List RY Regnal Year BCE Before the Common Era g Gram SE Seleukid Era

See Bibliography on our website, www.cngcoins.com, for a complete list of reference abbreviations.

Production Staff Senior Directors: Victor England, Jr. (U.S.)

Eric J. McFadden (U.K.) Senior Numismatist: Bradley R. Nelson Numismatists (U.S.): D. Scott VanHorn

Kenneth McDevitt

Bill Dalzell

Jeffrey B. Rill

Kerry K. Wetterstrom

Jeremy Bostwick Numismatist (U.K.): David Guest

Julia Trocmé-Latter Controller: Cathy England Lancaster Office Manager: Karen Zander London Office Manager: Alexandra Spyra Office Staff: Julia Motter Accounting: Tina Jordan (U.K.) Photography & Design: Travis A. Markel

Jessica Garloff Printing Control: Robert A. Trimble IT Consultant: A.J. Gatlin Auctioneer: Herbert L. Kreindler

(License No. 820339)

Bank Accounts Beneficiary: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.

US$ Account:

PNC Bank, N.A. 249 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15222 Account Number: 5005064612 ABA Number: 031000053 BIC or SWIFT: PNCCUS33

€ Account:

HSBC Bank plc 27-32 Poultry, London EC2P 2BX Account Number: 57147855 Sort code: 40 05 15 IBAN: GB09MIDL40051557147855 BIC or SWIFT: MIDLGB22

£ Account:

HSBC Bank plc 129 New Bond Street, London W1A 2JA Account Number: 11248081 Sort code: 40 05 01 IBAN: GB85HBUK40050111248081 BIC or SWIFT: HBUKGB4107C

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. is a United States limited company.

United Kingdom Registration No. FC18173, Branch No. BR2639.

AUCTION TERMS This is a public, mail bid, and internet auction conducted by Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG). Bidding in the auction constitutes acceptance of the following terms: 1.

The property listed in this catalogue is offered for sale by CNG for itself and as agent for various owners and other consignors.

We reserve the right to reject any bid, to determine the opening price, to set bidding increments, to vary the order of the auction, to reopen bidding in the case of a dispute, to withdraw any lot, to bid on behalf of CNG, to bid on behalf of the consignor, to permit the auctioneer to bid on his own behalf, and to permit the consignor to bid on his own lots. CNG may loan or advance money to consignors or prospective bidders, and may have an interest other than commission charges in any lot. CNG may bid on its own account as an “insider” with information not available to the public.

2.

A buyer’s fee will be charged to all successful bidders as follows on the hammer price: A. 22.5% for written, fax, email, telephone, and live internet bids.

B. 20% for floor bids placed in person at the auction and electronic bids placed directly on www.cngcoins.com.

All written bids, email bids, non-live telephone bids, live internet bid registrations, and live telephone bid registrations must be received before 5PM Eastern time on the day before the auction begins. CNG reserves the right to change the format of www.cngcoins.com at any time.

3.

All coins are guaranteed genuine. Attribution, date, condition, and other descriptions are the opinion of the cataloguer, and no warranty is expressed or implied. Please note that an auction sale is not an approval sale. Lots examined prior to the sale and lots purchased by floor bidders (including bidders executing commission bids on behalf of other parties) may not be returned for any reason except lack of authenticity. All claims of misdescription and all claims of return, except claims regarding authenticity, must be made within 5 days of receipt of material. Any claim of lack of authenticity must be made in writing by the original purchaser immediately after discovery that an item is not authentic, and upon making such a claim the original purchaser must immediately return the lot to CNG in the same condition as at the time of the auction. Coins that have been encapsulated (“slabbed”) by a grading and/or authentication service may not be returned for any reason, including authenticity, if they have been removed from the encapsulation (“slab”). If payment is made by credit card, rights of return are governed by these Auction Terms which supercede any rights of return promulgated by the card issuer. Estimates are intended as a guide only and not as a statement of opinion of value.

4.

Invoices are due and payable immediately upon receipt.

Interest and late fees of 2.0% per month, or at the highest rate permitted by law, whichever is less, from the date of the auction, shall be payable on invoices not settled within 30 days of the auction date.

Payment may be made by check or bank wire. Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) will be accepted; credit card payments will not be accepted more than 14 days after the sale date. Payment by check must be made in either US dollars ($) drawn on a US bank or British sterling (£) drawn on a British bank. All successful bidders outside North America and the United Kingdom will be charged an additional $20 fee for bank charges that are the result of international wire transfer fees; this fee will be deducted for credit card or check payment as described above. CNG may reduce or compromise any charge or fee at its discretion.

5.

Bidders not known to us must provide us with satisfactory credit references or pay a deposit as determined at CNG’s discretion before bidding. Minors are not permitted to bid without written consent of a parent guaranteeing payment. CNG may require payment in full from any bidder prior to delivery of lots. Title does not pass until lots are paid in full. Upon receipt of lots, the buyer assumes full responsibility for loss or damage. Delivery to the buyer’s address of record shall constitute receipt by the buyer regardless of the identity of the person accepting delivery.

6.

Estimates are in U.S. dollars ($US) and bids must be in even dollar ($) amounts. CNG will execute mail bids on behalf of mail bidders. Subject to reserves and opening prices, mail bids will be executed at one bidding increment (approximately 10%) over the next highest bid. In the case of identical bids, the earliest bid wins. A mail bid has priority over an identical floor bid. Bid by lot number. No lots will be broken. Bidders are responsible for errors in bidding. Check your bid sheet carefully.

7.

All lots are subject to reserve unless otherwise indicated.

However, no reserve will be higher than the estimate, and ordinarily lots are reserved at 60% of estimate.

8.

Bidders personally guarantee payment for their successful bids, including bidders executing commission bids from other parties and bidders representing corporations or other entities. Buyers accepting commission bids from other parties do so at their own risk and remain responsible for payment under these Auction Terms.

9.

At the conclusion of bidding for each lot, the sale contract is concluded and the successful bidder becomes liable for immediate payment under these Auction Terms. In the event a successful bidder fails to make full payment within 30 days of the auction date, CNG reserves the right either: (a) to require payment as provided under these Auction Terms; or (b) to deem the sale incomplete and to re-auction the material, in which case the successful bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable cost of such a sale and also to pay any shortfall between the re-auction price and the successful bidder’s purchase price. CNG reserves all rights that it is entitled to under the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code, including the right to offset any sums due from a successful bidder against any future consignment or purchase or monies or goods in possession of CNG. 10.

Sales tax, postage, handling and insurance are the responsibility of the buyer and are added to all invoices where appropriate. For buyers in the European Union, CNG may import lots into the United Kingdom prior to shipment and charge buyers the import Value Added Tax. On any tax not paid by the purchaser which should have been paid, even if not invoiced by CNG, the purchaser agrees to pay the same on demand together with any interest or penalty that may be assessed. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with foreign customs and other regulations.

11.

Prices realized are published after the sale and are mailed with CNG’s next publication. Prices realized are also posted after the sale on CNG’s web site: www.cngcoins.com 12.

Bidders hereby waive any claim for incidental, consequential or exemplary damages arising from this auction. The sole remedy that any participant in the auction shall have for any claim or controversy arising out of the auction shall be a refund, without interest, of all or part of the purchase price paid by the participant.

13.

All rights granted by CNG or otherwise available to bidders and purchasers, under these Auction Terms or otherwise, are personal and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person or entity, whether by operation of law or otherwise. No third party may rely on any benefit or right conferred by these Auction Terms. Bidders acting as agents must disclose the agency in writing to CNG prior to the auction; otherwise rights are limited to the agent and are not transferable to the undisclosed principal.

14.

Any dispute regarding this auction shall be governed by the laws of Pennsylvania and shall be adjudicated only by the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas or the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; all bidders submit themselves to the personal jurisdiction of these courts for this purpose, consent to service of process by registered or certified mail, and waive any contrary provisions of Articles 14 or 15 of the French Civil Code and any similar provisions in any jurisdiction. All bidders consent to the confidentiality of consignors’ identities and waive any right to require disclosure of the name of the consignor or owner of any auction lot, whether such right is based on New York GOL §5-701(a) or any other provision in any jurisdiction. In any dispute regarding this auction, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorney fees.

Bid online

Participate in Triton XXI Live on the Internet

With Live Online Bidding, you can: • Log on and bid at any time through our partner the-saleroom.com • View the lots, follow the bidding, and see hammer prices as they are sold • Hear and see the auctioneer live • Enjoy all the advantages of an auction room bidder to win your favorite lots

AT OUR AUCTIONS watch & listen

To bid live in the Triton sale: • Visit our dedicated Live Online Bidding site before the auction at http://livebidding.cngcoins.com • Register online and choose your username and password • On the auction day, login to join the auction and participate live

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Please Note

• Your CNG handle and password will not allow you to bid live – you must register separately for this auction • You must register to bid live before 5PM EST on Monday, January 8, 2018 • All lots won through Live Online Bidding will be subject to a 22.5% buyer’s fee

It’s not always convenient to attend a sale in person.

So we’ve teamed up with the-saleroom.com to enable you to take part in our auctions online.

Bid online Before our auction

images of lots in our online catalogue ATBrowse OUR AUCTIONS l

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During our auction l

watch See the lots on your computer screen at the same time as they & listen appear in the auction to our auctions

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A live audio feed lets you experience the atmosphere of the sale and hear your bids being relayed to the auctioneer.

It’s not always convenient to420 attend in person. the-saleroom.com | +44 (0) 207 6670a| sale support@atgmedia.com So we’ve teamed up with the-saleroom.com to enable you to take part in our auctions online.

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Lot Viewing Lancaster, PA

Auction lots may be viewed at our Lancaster Office from December 1, 2017 until December 29, 2017, by appointment only, unless the lots are on exhibition at the showings below. Lancaster Office Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM (Monday - Friday).

Please note that our hours will be limited during the holiday season.

London

British coinage and medal lots may be viewed at our London Office from Monday, December 11, 2017 until Thursday, December 14, 2017, by appointment only.

London Office Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM (Monday - Friday).

New York City

Grand Hyatt Hotel Broadway Room, Conference Level (4th Floor) Sunday, January 7, 2018 - 1 PM until 7 PM Monday, January 8, 2018 - 9 AM until 7 PM Tuesday, January 9, 2018 - 8 AM until 6 PM Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 8 AM until Noon

Online Viewing Enlargements of all single lots and selected multiple lots may be viewed on the internet at

CNGCOINS.COM SIXBID.COM NumisBids.com We are sorry, but photographs of individual coins in multiple lots cannot be provided.

Auction Location New York City - Grand Hyatt Hotel

Empire State Ballroom I, Ballroom Level (5th Floor)

Lot Pickup New York City - Grand Hyatt Hotel

Empire State Ballroom – Table 100 Friday, January 12, 2018 - 10 AM until 6 PM Saturday, January 13, 2018 - 10 AM until 6 PM

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Order of Sale Session One – Tuesday Morning – January 9 – 9:30 AM The Staffieri Collection (this catalog, see separate catalog for following sections). . . . . . . . . . . . 1–273 Greek Coinage (part 1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301–393

Session Two – Tuesday Afternoon – January 9 – 2:00 PM Greek Coinage (part 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394–547 Celtic Coinage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548–552 Oriental Greek Coinage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553–573 Central Asian Coinage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574–602 Roman Republican & Imperatorial Coinage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603–687 Roman Imperial Coinage (part 1, including The Weissenberg Family Collection). . . . . . . . . . . 688–786

Session Three – Wednesday Morning – January 10 – 9:30 AM Roman Imperial Coinage (part 2, including The A.K. Collection). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 787–873

Romano-Byzantine Weights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874 Byzantine Coinage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 875–899

Early Medieval & Islamic Coinage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900–952 World Coinage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 953–1139

Session Four – Wednesday Afternoon – January 10 – 2:00 PM The Princeps Collection of Transylvanian Coinage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1140–1297

British Coinage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1298–1536 British Medals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1537–1547 Large Lots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1548–1597

All lots in this auction were in the possession of CNG in CNG’s Lancaster, Pennsylvania office no later than 6 November 2017. This information is provided for the protection of buyers in the event that US import restrictions are introduced subsequent to that date on any of the types of coins and antiquities that are included in this auction.

Notice Regarding “Slabs”

Coins that have been encapsulated (“slabbed”) by a grading and/or authentication service may not be returned for any reason, including authenticity, if they have been removed from the encapsulation (“slab”).

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Introduction The coinage made in Alexandria during the Roman Empire has fascinated collectors and scholars for a very long time. The attraction of the coinage lies in its unique mixture of the Roman, the Greek, and the Egyptian – all elements that we can see prominently featured on a coinage that was made for 300 years, from Augustus (31 BC-AD 14) to Diocletian (284-305). The obverses of the coins always feature a portrait of the emperor and the empress, and many of the portraits are executed with great skill and aesthetic sense. But it is perhaps the diversity of the designs that are found on the reverses of the coins that are the more interesting. They include deities of the Greco-Roman pantheon, such as Zeus or Athena; they include Egyptian gods like Hermanubis or the personification of the river Nile; and they regularly show the Roman emperor, often in a military manner and sometimes celebrating an imperial journey, such as that of Nero to Greece or Hadrian to Egypt. Few other provincial coins of the Roman Empire show this variety of designs, and none has the number of different designs that we find at Alexandria.

The Staffieri collection has a fine representation of all periods of the coinage, from its beginnings under Augustus until its last issues under Diocletian. Every period is well represented in the collection, and many of the pieces are both rare and in exceptional condition. A particular strength of the collection is the large number of bronze drachms, mostly minted in the second century AD. These coins were made on large flans, and the big size gave the engravers the opportunity to produce some very fine and interesting designs.

This is a scholar’s collection, reflecting Giovanni Staffieri’s deep understanding and appreciation of the complexities of the coinage. His own publications on different aspects of the coinage are well known, and provide essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the topic – for example, his articles on the puzzling way that sometimes the portrait of the emperor shows him with a radiate portrait; his explanation of the extraordinary ΕΙC ΖΕΥC CΑΡΑΠΙC coin of Hadrian; or his study of the complicated ending of the coinage at the end of the third century AD, when the distinctively Alexandrian coinage was transformed into the more banal and empire-wide system of uniform coinage introduced as part of Diocletian’s administrative reforms.

I had known of Giovanni Staffieri’s publications and of his collections for many years, but I had never met him or viewed the coins. But, a few years ago, as part of the preparations for Volume III of Roman Provincial Coinage, it became obvious that it was necessary to get in contact with him, to ask about the many rare and unusual coins that were in his collection. A tentative first email met an immediate and warm response, and led to a memorable visit to see the collection, a collection whose extent took me so much by surprise that it was necessary to work well into the night to get through it in the days available.

Hard work and serious conversations about the coins were complemented by the legendary and generous hospitality offered to me by Giovanni and Maggie: a visit that was demanding but rewarding, on both an intellectual and a personal level. We have remained friends ever since, and I am not alone in receiving this liberal welcome: all scholars and collectors with a serious interest in the coins have been met with the same mixture of enthusiasm and generosity.

There have been other great collections – of Cardinal Borgia, already included in Jørgen Zoëga’s catalogue of 1787; of Giovanni di Demetrio by Feuardent in 1873; or of Giovanni Dattari originally published by its owner in 1901. The Staffieri collection may not be as large as some of its predecessors, but it includes many unusual or unique pieces, some themselves originally from the Dattari collection, which was split up in the late 20th century. The quality of the collection and the interest of the catalogue mean that the Staffieri Collection will join these predecessors on the bookshelf of the most important books on Alexandrian coinage, and be consulted by many scholars, collectors, and historians for many years.

Andrew Burnett President, Royal Numismatic Society Former Deputy Director and Keeper of Coins, British Museum Honorary Professor, University College London London, June 2017 7

A Note from the Cataloguer It has been a rare privilege to catalog the following Alexandrian coins from the collection of Giovanni Maria Staffieri. I have been aware of Giovanni and his collection for a long time now, as he purchased quite a few “old friends” from my collection of Alexandrian coinage, when we sold the best pieces in December of 1990 (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII). I finally was able to meet him in person at the XVth International Numismatic Congress held in Taormina, Sicily in September of 2015. At the Congress, Giovanni told me that he was working on a book devoted to his collection, which he completed earlier this year: Alexandria In Nummis, 30 a.C.–298 d.C. – Una passione – Una collezione.

It is a wonderful book, worthy of such an impressive collection.

Giovanni was born in Lugano, Switzerland in 1944. After completing his studies at the University of Zürich in 1969, he returned to his hometown to start his own business. After a successful career of 40 years, Giovanni retired in 2009, and was able to concentrate on his various avocations, including numismatics.

A life member of the Swiss Numismatic Society since 1966 (a gift from his father), Giovanni started attending meetings of the Society in Zürich on a regular basis in the 1970s, where he would meet Dr. Piero Beretta from Milan. It was Dr. Beretta who introduced him to the Roman coins from the mint of Alexandria in Egypt, and indeed, Giovanni purchased many of his best coins, almost all ex Dattari, from Dr. Beretta. Dr. Beretta, a classical art teacher, had the good fortune to purchase these coins directly from the Dattari collection when it was being dispersed.

Giovanni has never been content with just being a collector, and indeed, his scholarly publications and articles are numerous and reflect his intense interest in the Alexandrian series. Several of his articles are cited in the following catalogue, and of course, every coin in this sale is listed (with full descriptions and commentary) by Giovanni in his book Alexandria In Nummis.

The following 273 lots represent the finest and rarest coins from the Alexandrian collection of Giovanni Maria Staffieri, which includes 116 coins from the Giovanni Dattari collection – probably still one of the finest and most complete collections ever assembled. I am honored that Giovanni included 26 coins from my collection. Other notable collectors of Alexandrian coins represented in the pedigree chain of the Staffieri collection are: Lloyd Beauchaine, Renzo Canavesi, Colonel James W. Curtis, Philip DeVicci, Garth R. Drewry, Carlo Fontana, John Work Garrett, Tony Hardy, Marcel Jungfleisch, Richard Cyril Lockett, Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis, Athos Moretti, Giuseppe Nascia, Walter Niggeler, Jean-Pierre Righetti, David Simpson, Dr. Hans Steger, and Gilbert Steinberg.

Finally, I have strived for accuracy in the following catalogue, but any errors found are my own.

Kerry K. Wetterstrom November 2017

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A Note on the Collection In light of the number of improperly cleaned and often processed bronzes that pass through the market on a daily basis, it is truly refreshing to handle a collection acquired from such notable collectors as Dr. Piero Beretta, Renzo Canavesi, and Giovanni Dattari. These gentlemen had access to material found in the days before the use of chemicals and fertilizer in agriculture destroyed the natural surfaces of the bronzes. The Staffieri collection features a large number of such natural bronzes.

The passion and pursuit of Giovanni Maria Staffieri is reflected in that this sale represents many of the finest pieces to come to auction since the advent of illustrated auction catalogues in the 19th century.

As with many specialized collections, I expect that buyers from around the world will be represented at this sale and that the coins will find many new homes. For those of you who can attend in person, viewing will be a pleasure.

Victor England November 2017

Lot 55

Lot 70

Lot 175

Lot 87

Lot 110

Lot 144

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10

Session 1 – Tuesday, January 9, 2018 — 9:30 AM

1.

Cleopatra VII Thea Neotera. 51-30 BC. Æ Diobol – 80 Drachmai (27mm, 14.21 g, 12h). Diademed and draped bust right / ∫Å45¬544˙4 ˚¬Eo∏ÅtrÅ4, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, P to right. Svoronos 1871; Weiser 183; SNG Copenhagen 419-21; BMC 4-5; Noske 382; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 1 (this coin). EF, attractive reddish brown patina with traces of green. Excellent portrait. ($5000) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), March 1978.

Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, was one of the most celebrated personalities of the ancient world. She is depicted here in her jubilant years, shortly after her ascension to the throne, circa 49 to 46 BC. This portrait of Cleopatra corresponds to the rare original marble, with its mutilated nose, which is preserved in the Vatican Museum (Museo Gregoriano Profano, Inv. 38511) – it was found in 1784 at the Villa dei Quintili on the Via Appia near Rome.

The First Roman Alexandrian Coin

2.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Diobol – 80 Drachmai (27mm, 18.58 g, 12h). First series, struck circa 30-28 BC. [ΘΕΟ]Υ ΥΙ[ΟΥ], bare head right / [ΚΑΙCΑ]ΡΟC ΑΥ[ΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟC], eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π to right. Köln 1; Dattari (Savio) 2; K&G 2.5; RPC I 5001; Emmett 1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 2 (this coin).

Good VF, attractive reddish brown and green patina. Exceptional for issue. The first Roman Alexandrian coin. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 1.

The first coinage of the new province of Egypt was a direct copy of the bronze coinage of Cleopatra, the last Ptolemaic ruler, with the portrait of Augustus replacing the Queen’s. Egypt, wealthy and a vital source of grain for the empire, was to be never allowed again as a potential leaping-off point for a rival emperor. The new province was held under tight control by the emperor. Its governor was to be an equestrian prefect answerable to Augustus, with a legion under his direct command. The Senate would have no say in the administration of the province, and in fact, senators were forbidden to travel there without permission.

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3.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ Obol – 40 Drachmai (21mm, 8.46 g, 12h). First series, struck circa 30-28 BC. ΘΕΟΥ ΥΙΟΥ, bare head right / [ΚΑΙC]ΑΡΟC ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑ[ΤΟΡΟC], eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, M to right. Köln 2; Dattari (Savio) 3; K&G 2.10; RPC I 5002; Emmett 2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 3 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Exceptional for issue, and very rare. ($1000) Ex Vecchi 9 (4 December 1997), lot 363.

Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection – One of the Finest Known

4.

Julia Augusta (Livia). As wife of Augustus, 38 BC-AD 14. Æ Diobol – 80 Drachmai (26mm, 13.35 g, 12h). Second series, struck circa 19-3/2 BC. [ΛΙ]ΟVΙΑ CΕΒΑC[ΤΟΥ], head right / Filleted cornucopia. Köln 35; Dattari (Savio) 57 & 6608; K&G 3.1; RPC I 5006; Emmett 50 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 4 (this coin). Good VF, attractive dark brown patina, some faint scratches. Extremely rare, and one of the finest known. ($3000) Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection (Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 12, with Nomos AG, 11 April 2003), lot 281; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 262 (March 1966), lot 22.

Even though this type lacks the denominational abbreviation (Π) seen on the issues of Cleopatra VII and Augustus, it is considered to be the same denomination (80 Drachmai) and continues the series.

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Ex Marcel Jungfleisch Collection – One of the Finest Known

5.

Tiberius, with Divus Augustus. AD 14-37. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.93 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 (AD 20/21).

TIBEΡIOΣ [ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑ]ΣΤΟΣ, laureate head of Tiberius right; L Z (date) below chin / ΘΕΟΣ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ, radiate head of Divus Augustus right. Köln 48; Dattari (Savio) 78; K&G 5.10; RPC I 5089; Emmett 60.7; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 5 (this coin). Choice EF, attractively toned. One of the finest known. ($2000) Purchased from Mercato Numismatico, 1985. Ex Marcel Jungfleisch Collection (Part II, Sotheby & Co., 9 March 1972), lot 3.

6.

Claudius, with Antonia. AD 41-54. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.24 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 41/42). [TI] KΛAY∆I KAIΣ ΣEBA ΓEPMANI AYTOKP, laureate head of Claudius right; L B (date) below chin / ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ, draped bust of Antonia right. Köln 62-3; Dattari 114; K&G 12.3; RPC I 5117; Emmett 73.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 9 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Nice silver content. ($500) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 315.

This tetradrachm type was only issued during the first three regnal years of Claudius’ reign, and honors his deceased mother, Antonia Minor.

Claudius bestowed the title of Augusta (ΣΕΒΑΣΤΗ) posthumously on Antonia in AD 41, who was the daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia, Augustus’ sister.

7.

Claudius, with Messalina. AD 41-54. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.82 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 42/43). TI KΛAY∆I KAIΣ ΣEBA ΓEPMANI AYTOKP, laureate head of Claudius right; L Γ (date) to right / ΜΕΣΣΑΛΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑΣ, Messalina standing facing, head left, holding two small figures and grain ears, and leaning upon column to right. Köln 75; Dattari 123; K&G 12.22; RPC I 5131; Emmett 74.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 10 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Well centered and struck for issue. ($300) Ex Künker 124 (16 March 2007), lot 8116.

The reverse type depicts Valeria Messalina, Claudius’ third wife, in the guise of Demeter. The two small figures in her right hand are identified as Britannicus and Claudia Octavia, her two children by Claudius.

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Britannicus, Antonia, & Octavia Among the Finest Known Didrachms

8.

Claudius, with Britannicus, Antonia, and Octavia. AD 41-54. BI Didrachm (20mm, 5.56 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 42/43). [TI KΛAY] KAI CEBAC ΓEPM, laureate head right; L Γ (date) before / Crossed cornucopias, each surmounted by female bust (Antonia and Octavia), vis-à-vis; between them, bust of a boy right (Britannicus), which is above AYTO/KPA in two lines. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 118; K&G 12.24; RPC I 5135; Emmett 75.3 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 6 (this coin); B. Lichocka, “Claudius’s Issue of Silver Didrachms in Alexandria: Emperor’s Children and Crossed Cornucopias” in Ètudes et Travaux XXVI (Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, 2013), pp. 428-45 (this coin cited). Near VF, toned, some roughness. Extremely rare, and one of the finest known. ($1500) Ex UBS 83 (8 September 2009), lot 171.

An extremely rare coin, and the only collectible didrachm (billon or otherwise) issued in Alexandria during the Roman Imperial period. (Erik Christiansen in The Roman Coins of Alexandria lists two unique didrachms for Nero, regnal years 3 and 4, the first in Athens, the second in Berlin.) Claudius also issued a billon drachm (RPC I 5136), which is of equal rarity.

Heqet – Goddess of Fertility

9.

Claudius. AD 41-54. Æ Dichalkon (15mm, 2.57 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 49/50). Laureate head right / Frog seated right on ground line; L I (date) above. Köln 96 & 3448; Dattari 170; K&G 12.68 (this coin illustrated); RPC I 5179; Emmett 100.10; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 8 (this coin). Good VF, mottled green patina. Rare and very attractive. One of the finest known. ($1000) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, August 1993.

The frog is a representation of Heqet, an Egyptian goddess of fertility, who is often identified with Hathor. To the Egyptians, the frog was an ancient symbol of fertility, related to the annual flooding of the Nile. Heqet was considered the wife of Khnum, who formed the bodies of new children on his potter’s wheel.

10.

Claudius. AD 41-54. Æ Obol (22mm, 4.91 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 50/51). [TI KΛ]AY KAI CEBA[C ΓEPM], laureate head right / Right hand holding two stalks of grain and three poppies; to either side of grain and poppies, AYT OKPA; below hand, [L IA] (date). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 151; K&G 12.73; RPC I 5184; Emmett 89.11; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 7 (this coin). EF, attractive reddish brown patina. A wonderful piece that is normally seen heavily circulated. ($500) Ex Emporium Hamburg 66 (17 November 2011), lot 182.

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11.

Agrippina Junior. Augusta, AD 50-59. Æ Diobol (26mm, 10.42 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 of Claudius (AD 52/53).

AΓPIΠΠINA [CЄBAC]TH, draped bust of Agrippina Junior right, wearing wreath of grain ears / Draped bust of Euthenia right, wearing wreath of grain ears; [Є]YӨH NIA/L IΓ (date) across field; two grain ears to lower right. Köln 110-2; Dattari (Savio) 179 (this coin); K&G 13.4; RPC I 5194; Emmett 103.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 11 (this coin). Good VF, reddish brown and green patina. An untouched and attractive coin. ($750) Ex Sammlung Amadeus (Giessener Münzhandlung 100, 20 November 1999), lot 452; Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 263; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 179.

According to Emmett, this type was coined for Claudius’ regnal years 11-13 and 15. Agrippina Junior, wife and niece of Claudius, is assimilated to the goddess Euthenia (Abundance), the wife of Nilus, and symbol of agricultural prosperity, who appears on the reverse. The excellent and realistic portrait of Agrippina recalls, in particular, the marble head that resides in the collection of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Catalog No. 636).

12.

Agrippina Junior. Augusta, AD 50-59. Æ Obol (20mm, 4.08 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 of Claudius (AD 52/53).

AΓPIΠΠINA CЄBA[CTH], draped bust of Agrippina Junior right, wearing wreath of grain ears / Modius between two torches; [L I] Γ (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 181; K&G 13.5; RPC I 5196; Emmett 105.13 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 12 (this coin). Good VF, attractive reddish brown patina with traces of green. Very rare. ($750) Purchased from Schweizerischer Kreditanstalt, Bern, 20 May 1978.

Continuing Agrippina’s assimilation to Euthenia, a modius (kalathos), another symbol of the Nile’s fertility and prosperity, is depicted on the reverse of this very rare obol.

13.

Nero. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 11.59 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 56/57). NEP KΛAY KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AYTO, laureate head right / ΠΡΟΝ • ΝΕΟΥ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, Nero seated left, radiate and togate, holding mappa(?) with his extended right hand and vertical scepter with his left, his feet resting on stool; L Γ (date) to left. Köln 121; Dattari (Savio) 200; K&G 14.9 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5203; Emmett 120.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 13 (this coin). Good VF, toned.

Well centered and struck for issue. Rare. ($300) Ex Gorny & Mosch 196 (7 March 2011), lot 2281.

On this rare type, Nero appears on the reverse wearing a radiate crown with a legend declaring him as the “new Augustus”.

15

Extraordinary Poppaea Tetradrachm

14.

Nero, with Poppaea. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 13.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 9 (AD 62/63). NЄPΩ KΛAY KAIC CЄB ΓЄP AYTO, laureate head of Nero right / ΠΟΠΠ[ΑΙΑ CЄB]ACTOY, draped bust of Poppaea Sabina right; before, star; across field, L ЄNA (date). Köln 155; Dattari (Savio) 194; K&G 14.73 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5267; Emmett 128.9 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 14 (this coin). EF, toned. Exceptional and one of the finest known. ($1500) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 337.

Extremely rare issue for the first year of Poppaea being introduced on Nero’s Alexandrian coinage, with Nero still being depicted wearing a laurel wreath versus the radiate crown of later years.

15.

Nero. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 63/64). NEPΩ KΛAV KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP, radiate head right / AY[T]O KPA, draped bust of Serapis right, wearing taenia and calathus; L I (date) before. Köln 160–1; Dattari (Savio) 251–2; K&G 14.77 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5274; Emmett 133.10; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 15 (this coin). EF, toned. Well struck on a broad flan. Very rare this nice. ($1000) Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII (4 December 1990), lot 425.

The image of Zeus Sarapis, the greatest deity of the Greco-Egyptian pantheon, appears here for the first time on the tetradrachms of Nero and corresponds to the canon statuary present at the Serapeum of Alexandria.

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16. Nero. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.15 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 66/67). NEPΩ KΛAV KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AV, radiate bust left, wearing aegis; L IΓ (date) below chin / [ΣEBAΣTOΦOPOΣ], corbita with helmsman under sail to right; two dolphins in water. Köln 186; Dattari (Savio) 264; K&G 14.99 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5296; Emmett 121.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 16 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Great surfaces and struck on broad flan. ($750) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, December 1977.

There appear to be two different varieties of this type – one with dolphins and one without. Most likely, it commemorates Nero’s visit to Greece in AD 66-67.

17.

Nero, with Divus Augustus. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.51 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 66/67). NEPΩ KΛAV KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AV, radiate bust left, wearing aegis; L IΓ (date) below chin / ΘΕΟΣ [Σ]ΕΒ[ΑΣΤΟΣ], radiate head of Divus Augustus right. Köln 177-80; Dattari (Savio) 184; K&G 14.100 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5294; Emmett 113.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 17 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Nice metal for issue. ($500) Ex Künker 89 (8 March 2004), lot 1750.

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Ex Lockett Collection

18.

Nero, with Tiberius. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.53 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 66/67). NEPΩ KΛAV KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AV, radiate bust left, wearing aegis; L IΓ (date) below chin / TIBEPIOΣ KAIΣAP, laureate head of Tiberius right. Köln 187-9; Dattari (Savio) 185; K&G 14.101 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5295; Emmett 134.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 18 (this coin). EF, toned. Great metal quality with excellent portraits. ($1000) Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 564 (April 1993), lot 31; Richard Cyril Lockett Collection (Greek Part IV, Glendining, 21 February 1961), lot 3017 (part of).

19. Nero. AD 54-68. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.92 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 (AD 67/68). NE[PΩ KΛAV K]AIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AV, radiate bust left, wearing aegis; L I∆ (date) below chin / H[PA] APΓEIA, diademed, veiled, and draped bust of Hera right; star below chin. Köln 200-1; Dattari (Savio) 236; K&G 14.110 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5315; Emmett 122.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 19 (this coin). EF, toned. Nice metal quality. Exceptional bust of Nero. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions IV (21 September 1988), lot 261.

An interesting coin that has been overstruck on the Apollo Aktios type (RPC I 5317), with Apollo’s quiver behind his shoulder visible. Also, AKTIOΣ is faintly visible beneath HPA. This coin is part of the series that commemorates Nero’s visit to Greece in AD 66-67.

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One of the Great Rarities of the Alexandrian Series – Ex Dattari Collection

20. Nero. AD 54-68. Æ Drachm (38mm, 36.04 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 (AD 67/68). NEPΩ KΛAV KAIΣ ΣEB ΓEP AV, laureate head right; L I∆ (date) below chin / ΖΕΥΣ ΚΑΠΕΤ[ΩΛΙΟΣ], Zeus enthroned left, holding vertical scepter with his right hand and thunderbolt with his left; at his feet, eagle standing left, head right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 281 (this coin); K&G 14.118 corr. (obv. legend); RPC I 5285 (this coin cited; attributed to RY 11 in error); Emmett 140.14 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 20 (this coin). EF, dark brown surfaces with traces of green, twice holed in antiquity – which do not affect any significant part of the design. Exceptional and one of the classic rarities of the series. The authors of RPC cite only two examples: this coin, and an example in the ANS collection. ($20,000) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG FPL 50 (November 1982), lot 151; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 281.

This coin is one of the great rarities of the Alexandrian series, with only one other specimen having been offered for sale (Marcel Jungfleisch Collection, Sotheby’s, 1972, lot 26, which also was holed twice in antiquity). Another, heavily worn example resides in the collection of the American Numismatic Society in New York City (mistakenly attributed to regnal year 11).

Nero issued a prodigious amount of billon tetradrachms at the Alexandria mint. It has been speculated that this was part of his fund-raising campaign to rebuild Rome after the devastating fire of AD 64 (he melted down the higher silver content tetradrachms already in circulation, and replaced them with the lower silver content billon tetradrachms). As a result, bronze coinage in general was neglected during Nero’s reign in Alexandria, especially the larger denominations – hemidrachm and drachm.

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21. Galba. AD 68-69. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 68). ΛΟΥΚ ΛΙΒ [ΣΟ]ΥΛΠ ΓΑΛΒΑ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΑΥΤ, laureate head right; L A (date) below chin / ΑΛΕΞΑΝ ΔΡΕΑ, draped bust of Alexandria right, wearing elephant-skin headdress. Köln 217; Dattari (Savio) 298-9; K&G 17.1; RPC I 5326; Emmett 170.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 21 (this coin). EF, toned. Exceptional surfaces. Wonderful portraits of Galba and Alexandria. Amongst the finest known. ($2000) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 63 (21 May 2003), lot 1097.

Perhaps the Finest Known Galba Drachm

22. Galba. AD 68-69. Æ Drachm (36mm, 27.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 68/69). ΣE[POYI ΓΑ]ΛΒΑ AYTO ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒA, laureate head right / Draped bust right of Nike; L B (date) to right. Köln 243; Dattari (Savio) 322; K&G 17.22; RPC I 5346; Emmett 175.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 22 (this coin). VF, reddish brown patina with touches of green, some minor smoothing. Very rare, and perhaps the finest known. ($3000) Ex Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 582.

Galba continued Nero’s emphasis on the production of billon tetradrachms at the Alexandrian mint. His bronze coinage, while not quite as rare as Nero’s, is known only from his second regnal year at Alexandria. The authors of RPC cite only seven examples for this type.

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23.

Galba. AD 68-69. Æ Hemidrachm (29mm, 17.25 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 68/69). [ΣE]POYI ΓΑΛΒΑ AY[TO ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒA], laureate head right / Bust of Nilus right, wearing taenia, slight drapery; cornucopia behind his right shoulder; L B (date) to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 17.25 (this coin illustrated); RPC I 5348; Emmett 178.2 (R4) = Milne 353; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 23 (this coin). VF, reddish brown and light green patina. Very rare. ($500) Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection (Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 12, with Nomos AG, 11 April 2003), lot 477.

The authors of RPC cite only five examples for this hemidrachm type, with only one other in the CoinArchives database.

24. Galba. AD 68-69. Æ Diobol (26mm, 11.02 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 68/69). ΣEPOYI ΓΑΛΒΑ AYTO ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒA, laureate head right / Draped bust of Isis right, wearing taenia and crowned with disk and horns; L B (date) to right.

Köln 241-2 & 3451; Dattari (Savio) 320-1; K&G 17.26 (this coin illustrated); RPC I 5351; Emmett 179.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 24 (this coin). Good VF, even brown surfaces. Very rare and exceptional condition for the type. ($750) Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection (Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 12, with Nomos AG, 11 April 2003), lot 478; reportedly ex August Voirol Collection; Dr. Hans Steger Collection (Münzhandlung Basel 6, 18 March 1936), lot 137.

The authors of RPC cite only thirteen examples for this diobol type, with only two others in the CoinArchives database.

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25. Otho. AD 69. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 11.27 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 69). ΑΥΤΟΚ ΜΑΡΚ ΟΘΩΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ, laureate head right; L A (date) to right / ΡΩΜΗ, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma right, holding shield and spear.

Köln 250-1; Dattari (Savio) 330; K&G 18.9; RPC I 5362; Emmett 186.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 25 (this coin). VF, toned, some minor porosity. Rare. Struck on a broad flan with a full legend. ($500) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 356.

26.

Vitellius. AD 69. BI Tetradrachm (27mm, 12.86 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 69). ΩΛΟΥ ΟΥΙΤ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΑΥΤ, laureate head right / Nike advancing left, holding wreath with her extended right hand and palm frond with her left; LA (date) to left. Köln 260-2; Dattari (Savio) 340; K&G 19.1; RPC I 5372; Emmett 196.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 26 (this coin). Good VF, toned, some obverse encrustation. Exceptional condition for the type. Rare. ($2000) Ex Scandinavian Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 49, 17 March 1999), lot 1148.

Vitellius’ Alexandrian coinage is rare overall. The authors of RPC note that “as with Otho, the portrait of Vitellius does not suggest any knowledge of his appearance.” RPC cites only 18 examples of this tetradrachm variety.

22

Two Extremely Rare Vespasian Aurei Attributed to Alexandria

27

28 27.

Vespasian. AD 69-79. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.86 g, 5h). Struck AD 70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right / COS ITER TOROT (sic), Pax standing facing, head left, holding grain ears in her extended right hand and a short caduceus with her left. RIC II 1527; Calicó –; RPC II 1904/3 (this coin – attributed to Antioch); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 31 (this coin). EF. Extremely rare, one of three known, with the other two in the American Numismatic Society and Bibliothèque Nationale collections. This coin is overstruck on an earlier aureus before Nero’s weight reduction. ($50,000) Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG 5 (25 February 1992), lot 440.

The attribution to Alexandria is not without controversy. Laffranchi first suggested Alexandria as the probable mint in his 1915 article (“Sulla numismatica dei Flavia,” RIN 28, pp. 139-54). William E. Metcalf compared the obverse style of two aurei to the Alexandrian billon tetradrachms for Vespasian’s regnal year 2 in his article “The Flavians in the East” (Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of Numismatics, 1982, pp. 321-39), but a coin similar to our example was assigned by Metcalf to Antioch in Syria. The present collector, Giovanni Maria Staffieri, believes this and the following lot to have been struck at Alexandria, and he makes his case, also based on style, but to a larger extent based on the fact that we know Vespasian was “raised to the purple” in Alexandria on 1 July AD 69. The likelihood that Vespasian had precious metal coinage struck in the Latin style at Alexandria is indeed very plausible, but short of any actual hoard evidence, not absolutely certain.

Impressive Pedigree 28. Vespasian. AD 69-79. AV Aureus (19mm, 6.92 g, 5h). Struck AD 70. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right / COS ITER TR POT, Aequitas standing facing, head left, holding scales with her right hand and a scepter with her left. RIC II 1526; BMCRE II Addenda 496 (this coin mentioned on p. 426); Calicó 604a (Antioch); RPC II 1905/2 (this coin – attributed to Antioch); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 32 (this coin). EF, small bruise on the edge, attractive cabinet toning.

Extremely rare, one of two known, the other being the British Museum specimen. This coin was struck on the reduced weight standard introduced during Nero’s reign. ($50,000) Ex Bank Leu AG 54 (25 April 1992), lot 234; Münzen und Medaillen AG 21 (19 March 1960), lot 33; John Glas Sandeman Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 13 June 1911), lot 457 (purchased by Feuardent for £5.2.6).

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29. Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Obol (19mm, 3.51 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 69). ΑΥΤ TIT ΦΛΑ[ΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ ΚΑΙΣ], laureate head right / Canopus of Osiris right; L A (date) to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 20.10 = RPC II 2410 (this coin cited and illustrated); Emmett 219.1 (unlisted regnal year); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 30 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces. Unique. ($1000) Ex Bankhaus Aufhäuser 10 (5 October 1993), lot 383.

Canopic jars were used to store the organs that were removed from the body during the mummification process, specifically the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines. The term “canopic” to describe such vessels is a misnomer, being derived from the port city of Canopus, where the god Osiris was worshipped in the form of a jar.

30.

Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Drachm (37mm, 28.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 70/71). ΑΥΤΟΚ [ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ]ΟΥ, laureate head right / Draped bust of Nike right; L Γ (date) to right. Köln 288; Dattari (Savio) 389-90; K&G 20.27; RPC II 2427; Emmett 208.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 27 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green, struck on an untrimmed flan. Exceptional condition for the type, and a realistic portrait of Vespasian. ($1500) Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XVIII (3 December 1991), lot 380.

During the first seven regnal years of his reign in Egypt, Vespasian continued the bronze types first started by Galba. Giovanni Maria Staffieri, in the catalog of his collection, speculates that perhaps a master engraver from Antioch in Syria was brought in to engrave the dies for this issue.

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31. Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Diobol (23mm, 10.25 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 72/73). ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ [ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ], laureate head right / Draped bust of Isis right, wearing taenia and crowned with disk and horns; L E (date) to right. Köln 296; Dattari (Savio) 384; K&G 20.39; RPC II 2438; Emmett 217.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 29 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina. Exceptional portrait and amongst the finest known. ($750) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 372.

32.

Vespasian, with Titus as Caesar. AD 69-79. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.00 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 (AD 75/76). ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ, laureate head right of Vespasian; L H (date) below chin / ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡ ΤΙΤΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ, laureate head right of Titus. Köln 303-4; Dattari (Savio) 347-9; K&G 20.53; RPC II 2447; Emmett 207.8; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 34 (this coin). VF, toned. Excellent metal quality. ($500) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 406 (25 April 2012), lot 599.

The tetradrachm equivalent to the following lot.

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33

34

Ex Niggeler & Beauchaine Collections 33.

Vespasian, with Titus as Caesar. AD 69-79. Æ Drachm (34mm, 18.14 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 (AD 75/76). ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑ • ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ, laureate head right of Vespasian; L H (date) below chin / ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤΩΡ • [Τ] ΙΤΟΣ • ΚΑΙΣΑΡ, laureate head right of Titus. Köln 307; Dattari (Savio) 350-1; K&G 20.54; RPC II 2448; Emmett 209.8 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 33 (this coin). Good VF or better, attractive dark green and brown patina. Rare, and one of the finest known. ($3000) Ex Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 583; West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1108; Walter Niggeler Collection (Part 2, Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen AG, 21 October 1966), lot 694; Adolph Cahn 71 (14 October 1931), lot 1135.

This dynastic issue with busts of Vespasian and Titus was struck in the drachm denomination for regnal years 8 and 9 only of Vespasian’s reign.

34. Vespasian. AD 69-79. Æ Hemidrachm (27mm, 10.01 g, 12h). Dated RY 9 (AD 76/77). ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒΑΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ, laureate head right / ΖΕΥΣ ΣΑΡΑΠΙΣ L ENAT (date), Zeus-Serapis enthroned left, extending his right hand over Kerberos, who is seated left at his feet, and holding scepter with his left hand; on throne back, Nike standing left, holding wreath. Köln 314; Dattari (Savio) 406; K&G 20.66 (this coin illustrated); RPC II 2457; Emmett 214.9; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 28 (this coin). EF, dark green to black patina, some roughness and light smoothing. Very rare. Only one other specimen in CoinArchives. ($2000) Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün 20, Part I (22 May 1997), lot 205.

This coin employs an unusual obverse legend variant with ΣΕΒΑΣ instead of the usual ΣΕΒΑ. The reverse type corresponds to the canon statuary present at the Serapeum of Alexandria.

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35. Titus. AD 79-81. BI Tetradrachm (27mm, 12.41 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 79/80). ΑVΤΟΚ TITOV ΚΑΙΣ ΟVΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟV ΣΕΒ, laureate head right / OMO NOIA, Homonoia seated left, holding an olive branch with her extended right hand, resting her left elbow on the chair’s armrest; L B (date) to left. Köln 317-8; Dattari (Savio) 422; K&G 22.2; RPC II 2463; Emmett 233.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 35 (this coin). Good VF, toned, a touch of porosity. Rare.

Excellent portrait. ($1000) Ex Philip DeVicci Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 53, 15 March 2000), lot 1202; West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1109; Joel L. Malter & Company 1 (9 November 1973), lot 261.

36.

Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Diobol (25mm, 7.96 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 82/83). AVTOK ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ Σ[ΕΒ], laureate head right / ΕΤΟΥΣ ΔΕVΤΕΡΟV (date), draped bust of Isis right, wearing taenia and crowned with disk and horns. Köln 329-330; Dattari (Savio) 502; K&G 24.10; RPC II 2482; Emmett 296.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 37 (this coin). Near EF, reddish brown surfaces, small area of roughness on the reverse. ($300) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 406 (25 April 2012), lot 600.

For regnal years 2-9 of Domitian’s reign, the dates are spelled out in Greek on the reverse (ΕΤΟΥΣ ΔΕVΤΕΡΟV = Year 2).

37. Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Diobol (25mm, 7.43 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 83/84). AVTOK ΚΑΙΣ[ΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤ] ΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕΒ, laureate head right / ΕΤVΣ (sic) TPITΟV (date), draped bust of Isis right, wearing taenia and crowned with disk and horns. Köln 336 var. (ΕΤOVΣ); Dattari (Savio) 503 var. (same); K&G 24.20 var. (same); RPC II 2490 var. (same); SNG Milano 854; Emmett 296.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 38 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. ($500) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 385.

For regnal years 2-9 of Domitian’s reign, the dates are spelled out in Greek on the reverse (ΕΤΟΥΣ TPITΟV = Year 3). On this particular coin, the word for year (ΕΤΟΥΣ) is incorrectly spelled as ΕΤVΣ.

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38. Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Obol (18mm, 3.13 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 (AD 88/89). AVT ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ, laureate head right; L H (date) below chin / Griffin, as Nemesis, seated right with forepaw on wheel. Köln 361; Dattari (Savio) 608; K&G 24.91; RPC II 2559; Emmett 315.8 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 40 (this coin). EF, green and brown patina. A common type, but in an uncommon state of preservation. ($300) Ex Bankhaus Aufhäuser 8 (9 October 1991), lot 383.

39. Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Diobol (25mm, 10.86 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 90/91). AVT KAICAP ΔΟ ΜΙΤ CEB ΓΕΡΜ, laureate head right / Agathodaimon serpent, wearing the skhent crown, on horseback galloping left; L I (date) below.

Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 24.109; RPC II 2585; SNG Copenhagen 214; Emmett 277.10 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 39 (this coin). Good VF, attractive light brown patina. Extremely rare variety. Exceptional portrait. ($1500) Ex West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1110; Classical Numismatic Review Vol. XVI, No. 1 (January 1991), lot 316; Numismatic Fine Arts Fall Mail Bid Sale (18 October 1990), lot 2365.

This is a rare type in general, but with Agathodaimon riding the horse to the left, instead of the usual horse to the right, it is extremely rare.

The authors of RPC cite only three specimens, all in museum collections: American Numismatic Society, Berlin, and Copenhagen. As to the meaning of the reverse type, the horse represents the changing of the seasons, whereas the serpent represents regeneration or the rebirth of the crops. All of Egyptian life was dependent on this cycle.

40.

Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Obol (18mm, 3.25 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 91/92). AVT KAICAP ΔΟΜΙΤ CEB ΓΕΡΜ, laureate head right / Isis-Thermouthis, as a uraeus (cobra), erect left, wearing the headdress of Isis; L IA (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 627; K&G 24.183 (this coin illustrated); RPC II 2664; Emmett 329.11; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 41 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green, some minor roughness on the reverse. Extremely rare, with none being offered in the last twenty years since this coin last appeared in auction. Fine style portrait. ($1000) Ex West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1111, purchased privately from B.A. Seaby Ltd; Dr. Hans Steger Collection (Münzhandlung Basel 6, 18 March 1936), lot 203.

When this coin was last offered in our Auction 41, we noted that the reverse type had been traditionally attributed as the Uraeus – the serpent that the pharaoh wore on a diadem or crown – and indeed, this is still the universal designation for the type. However, as suggested by the consignor (Lloyd Beauchaine) to our sale 41, the more likely attribution is that of Isis-Thermouthis, a ‘corn’ or grain goddess. Beauchaine based this attribution on the headdress of Isis, which is not a normal attribute of the Uraeus. There is a rare type issued by Domitian, also on an obol, that depicts Isis-Thermouthis as an uraeus serpent with the head of Isis (RPC II 2593, though called Demeter instead of Isis). As both of these types were issued during the same period (regnal years 10 and 11), it is possible that they were meant to depict the goddess in two of her different guises, a common occurrence in Egyptian art. We agreed with Beauchaine’s interpretation in 1997, and find no reason to disagree with him now.

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Arch of Domitian in Rome Celebrating Victories in Germany

41.

Domitian. AD 81-96. Æ Drachm (35mm, 24.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 95/96). [AVT] KA[IC] ΘΕΟV VΙΟC ΔΟΜΙΤ CEB [ΓΕΡΜ], laureate head right / Triumphal arch with three bays between columns, two windows above; roof surmounted by statuary group of Domitian driving horses between trophies; L IE (date) across field. Köln 415-6; Dattari (Savio) 544; K&G 24.238; RPC II 2728; Emmett 257.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 36 (this coin). VF, brown patina with patches of green, minor roughness. Important architectural type, with nice detail displayed on this example. ($500) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, April 1991.

While often assumed to depict a local Egyptian monument, Fred Kleiner (“An arch of Domitian in Rome on coins of Alexandria,” NC 1989, pp. 69-81) has convincingly argued that the arch was erected elsewhere, almost certainly in the capital, to commemorate Domitian’s victories in Germany. Indeed, Suetonius (Dom. 13.2) records that the emperor erected so many arci – Latin for arches – in Rome that a Greek punster wrote on one of them ἀρκεῖ (enough).

It is also interesting to note that the production of Aes denominations finally started to increase at the Alexandrian mint during the reign of Domitian, and at the expense of the billon production.

42. Nerva. AD 96-98. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.11 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 96/97). AVT • NEPOVAΣ KAIΣ • ΣEB •, laureate head right / Eagle standing right; L A (date) across field. Köln 429-30; Dattari (Savio) 639; K&G 26.1; RPC III 4113; Emmett 361.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 42 (this coin). Good VF, toned over the original, very attractive find patina.

Nice metal. Excellent portrait. ($750) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, September 1972.

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43. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35mm, 21.49 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 100/101). AVT KAIΣ NEP TPAIAN ΣЄB ΓЄPM, laureate head right / Nilus reclining left on crocodile to right, holding a reed and cornucopia from which emerges a Genius; Iς above; L ∆ (date) in exergue. Köln 448; Dattari (Savio) 977 (this coin); K&G 27.23 corr. (obv. legend with normal Σ, not lunate); RPC III 4134/36 (this coin); Emmett 550.4; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 45 (this coin). Good VF, beautiful brick red patina with some green in the devices. A portrait of outstanding quality. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 977.

The Greek numerals “Iς” to the right of the Genius indicate 16 cubits, the optimal flood level height of the Nile during inundation season.

Ex Moretti and Dattari Collections

44. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35mm, 31.25 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 107/108). AVT TPAIAN CЄ B ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate and draped bust right / Trajan, holding eagle-tipped scepter and branch, driving quadriga of elephants right; L IA (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6930 (this coin); K&G 27.94; RPC III 4223.1/10 (this coin, illustrated on pl.

186); Emmett 462.11; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 48 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green, minor pitting. While not a rare type for this regnal year, this coin is superior to most of the known specimens. ($2000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, February 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 6930.

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45.

Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (36mm, 24.62 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 107/108). AVT TPAIAN C ЄB Γ[ЄPM ∆AKIK], laureate and draped bust right / Elpis standing left, holding a lotus blossom with her right hand and raising a fold of her skirt with her left; L I A (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 7020 (this coin); K&G 27.95; RPC III 4218/3 (this coin); Emmett 452.11 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 50 (this coin). Near EF, attractive brown patina with touches of green.

Extremely rare, the authors of RPC cite only three specimens including this coin. Exceptional sculptural portrait. ($3000) Ex Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 263; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7020.

Of the three examples known, this is the finest, with an amazing high-relief portrait of Trajan, certainly engraved by a master celator.

46. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (37mm, 27.32 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 107/108). AV[T T]PAIAN CЄ B ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate and draped bust right / Trajan, laureate and wearing military attire, holding a horizontal spear, riding galloping horse right; L IA (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 722 (this coin); K&G 27.98; RPC III 4219.1/3 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 186); Emmett 470.11 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 49 (this coin). Good VF, attractive green and brown patina.

Extremely rare, the authors of RPC cite only three specimens, this coin and two in the Ashmolean Museum. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 722.

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47.

Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (37mm, 25.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 107/108). AVT TPAIAN C ЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate and draped bust right / Nike standing left, holding palm frond with her left hand, crowning trophy with a wreath in her right hand; trophy flanked by shields and spears; L IA (date) in exergue. Köln 475; Dattari (Savio) 7095 (this coin); K&G 27.102; RPC III 4229.1/6 (this coin); Emmett 543.11 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 53 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Very rare. Exceptional condition and portrait. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7095.

48. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (38mm, 31.51 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 107/108). AVT T PAIAN CЄ B ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Tyche standing facing, head left, holding a rudder with her right hand and a cornucopia with her left; L I A (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1045 (this coin); K&G 27.115; RPC III 4239/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 188); Emmett 605.11 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 47 (this coin). Near EF, reddish brown patina with patches of green. Struck in high relief. Extremely rare, the authors of RPC cite only two specimens, this coin and an example in Toronto. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1045.

In his book, Giovanni makes a persuasive case that this coin, only one of two known, is of a medallic nature. The second example in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto was not seen by the authors of RPC (it is listed in The Roman Coins of Alexandria by Erik Christiansen), hence its condition and quality are uncertain.

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Ex Dattari Collection

49. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (36mm, 27.87 g, 12h). Dated RY 12 (AD 108/109). AVT [TPAIA]N CEB ΓEPM ∆AKIK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis enthroned right, suckling the infant Harpokrates; two hawks (Horus) seated on the corners of the throneback; L I B (date) across field. Köln 491 var. (obv. bust type); Dattari (Savio) 7067 (this coin); K&G 27.162 var. (obv. bust type); RPC III 4304.3/3 (this coin); Emmett 519.12; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 43 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Portrait of fine style. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7067.

Following Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the “goddess of a thousand names” became one of the Mediterranean’s principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpokrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.

50. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (33mm, 25.87 g, 1h). Dated RY 13 (AD 109/110). [AVT TPAIAN C]ЄB [ΓЄPM ∆AKIK], laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Nike standing left, holding palm frond with her left hand, crowning trophy with a wreath in her right hand; trophy flanked by shields and spears; L IΓ (date) between. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 953 & 955; K&G 27.251; RPC III 4415.3/9 (this coin); Emmett 543.13 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 51 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with patches of green. Rare. ($500) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, July 1994.

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Ex Wetterstrom, Meyer-Coloniensis, & Dattari Collections

51. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (38mm, 29.07 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 109/110). AVT [TP]AIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate and draped bust right / Trajan, holding eagle-tipped scepter and branch, driving quadriga right; L IΓ (date) above. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 747 (this coin); K&G 27.260; RPC III 4385.1/2 (this coin); Emmett 459.13 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 52 (this coin). Near EF, primarily pale green patina with some areas of reddish brown. Struck on an unusually large flan. Exceptional quality. Extremely rare type for this regnal year, the authors of RPC cite only two specimens, this coin and an example in the Vatican, no. 261. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 31; Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Colllection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988), lot 221, purchased in 1976 from Münz Zentrum; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 747.

52. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (34mm, 19.59 g, 12h). Dated RY 16 (AD 112/113). AV T TPAIA N CЄB ΓЄPM ΔΑΚ[IK], laureate heroic bust right, wearing aegis / Trajan, nude but for cloak over his shoulders, standing facing, head left, holding a phiale in his extended right hand and a vertical scepter with his left hand; to his right, Roma standing facing, head left, cradling a parazonium with her left arm and crowning the emperor with her right hand; to far right, a shield; [L I] ς (date) across field. Köln 618; Dattari (Savio) 789 (this coin); K&G 27.480; RPC III 4723/2 (this coin–provenance to Künker 124 is incorrect); Emmett 480.16; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 44 (this coin). Good VF, reddish brown and green patina, a natural pit in left reverse field. Extremely rare, one of two known of this variety with the shield to the far right, the other being the Köln specimen. ($1000) Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 789.

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53. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (33mm, 16.55 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/114). AVT TPAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate heroic bust right, with slight drapery / Zeus, holding thunderbolt(?), reclining left on eagle standing right on thunderbolt, head left, with wings spread; L IZ (date) to lower right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1079 (this coin); K&G 27.566; RPC III 4816.2/1 (this coin); Emmett 616.17; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 55 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown patina with areas of green and red, a few minor cleaning scratches on the reverse. Extremely rare, the only specimen for this obverse variety cited by the authors of RPC. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1079.

54. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35mm, 17.79 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/114). AVT T PAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate and cuirassed bust right; the cuirass decorated with a small figure of Trajan on horeback galloping right / Zeus Nikephorus seated left on throne, holding Nike in his extended right hand and vertical scepter with his left; to left at his feet, eagle standing left, head right; two Nikai on throneback; L I Z (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1063; K&G 27.569; RPC III 4814.2/4 (this coin); Emmett 613.17 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 54 (this coin). EF, dark brown surfaces with touches of red. Very rare, only four specimens cited by the authors of RPC, including this coin. A wonderful portrait. ($2000) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, April 1991.

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“The Best” Trajan’s New Honorific

55. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (33mm, 21.28 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 114/115). [AVT TPAI]AN API CЄ B ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus, holding reed and cornucopia, standing facing, head left, being crowned by Euthenia, standing facing, head left, and holding grain ears; [L I] H (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1012 (this coin); K&G 27.606; RPC III 4872.1/8 (this coin); Emmett 561.18; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 46 (this coin). Choice EF, brown patina with green highlights. ($3000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1012.

This coin is one of the first Alexandrian coins to incorporate a new title for Trajan: ΑΡΙ(ΣΤΟΣ), which is Optimus in Latin (or the ‘Best’ in English).

Exquisite Early Bust of Hadrian

56. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.24 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 117/118). AVT KAIC TPAIANOC A∆PIANOC, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Herakles Nikephoros standing facing, head left, holding Nike in his extended right hand and club with his left, lion skin draped over his left arm; L B (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 7432 (this coin); K&G –; RPC III 4997/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 245); Emmett 856.2 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 56 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Exquisite early bust of Hadrian. Extremely rare, and one of two known. The other was sold by us in CNG E-Sale 348, lot 602. ($1500) Ex Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Collection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988), lot 231; Bickelmann FPL 29 (1973); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7432.

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“One [is] Zeus Sarapis” Celebrating the Renovation of the Serapeum

57. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.09 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 (AD 123/124). ΑΥΤ KAI ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ, laureate bust right, slight drapery / ЄΙC Ζ[ЄΥ]C CΑΡΑΠΙC (“One [is] Zeus Sarapis”), Zeus-Sarapis, radiate, standing facing on column, head right, holding a vertical scepter with his right hand, and an uncertain figure (or object, perhaps a modius?) in his extended left hand; L H (date) to either side of column. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC III 5466/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 270); Emmett –; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 63 (this coin); Staffieri, “EIC ZEYC CAPAΠIC–Su una Dramma Alessandrina Inedita” (NACQT Vol. XXV, Lugano, 1996), pp. 255-69, Fig. 1 (this coin illustrated). Near VF, brown patina with touches of green, attractive surfaces. Unique. ($1500) Ex Numismatic Art & Ancient Coins FPL 6 (Zürich, Fall 1988), lot 212.

In the aforementioned article by Giovanni, he cites “parallels for the inscriptions, and linked the coin design to the so-called ‘Colonna di Diocleziano’ at the Serapeum in Alexandria. In the new catalog of his collection, Alexandria In Nummis, he states that this important type can be linked to Hadrian’s “renovation of the entire area of ​​the Serapeum in Alexandria, which emphasized the transformation into the Pantheon of all divinities.” Syncretic gods were to become the norm in Roman Egypt (see Dattari-Savio 7790 for a Zeus-Sarapis pantheistic bust type, perhaps also from RY 8, but the date is almost illegible).

58. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.65 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 125/126). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Agathodaimon serpent erect right, wearing skhent, with a grain ear in its coils and facing the Uraeus serpent erect left, wearing horns and disc, with a grain ear in its coils; L ∆E KAT OV (date) around.

Köln 895; Dattari (Savio) 1550; K&G 32.336; RPC III 5596/44 (this coin); Emmett 804.10; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 58 (this coin). EF, toned. Exceptional quality for this relatively common issue. ($2000) Ex Numismatic Art & Ancient Coins FPL 6 (Zürich, Fall 1988), lot 211.

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59. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.87 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 125/126). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Helmeted half-length nude bust left of Mars (Ares), seen from behind, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; L • ∆EKA TOV (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1271 (this coin); K&G 32.353; RPC III 5568/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 274); Emmett 810.10 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 57 (this coin); Staffieri, “Sulla Testimonianza di un Ares Policleteo Nella Monetazione Imperiale Alessandrina” (NACQT Vol. XXII, Lugano, 1993), pp. 187-199, Fig. 1 (rev. of this coin illustrated). Good VF, toned. Wonderful metal quality. Extremely rare, possibly unique, as both RPC and Emmett cite only this specimen. ($1500) Ex Münz Zentrum 29 (27 April 1977), lot 126; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1271.

In the aforementioned article by Giovanni, he compares the reverse of this coin to the statue found at Hadrian’s villa (Fig. 7 in his article).

A Magnificent Dichalkon of Hadrian

60. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Dichalkon (13mm, 1.43 g, 12h). Herakleopolites Nome. Dated RY 11 (AD 126/127).

Laureate bust right, slight drapery / Griffin, as Nemesis, seated right with forepaw on wheel; L IA (date) across field, H[P]A in exergue. Köln 3398; Dattari (Savio) 6260; K&G N16.18; RPC III 5697/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 280, but not identified as being from the Herakleopolites nome); Emmett 1302.11; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 90 (this coin).

Superb EF, attractive brown surfaces. Exceptional and in unobtainable condition. Most likely the finest known for any dichalkon of Hadrian. ($1000) Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection (Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 12, with Nomos AG, 11 April 2003), lot 341; Kurpfälzische Münzhandlung 23 (7 December 1982), lot 129.

Mummiform Osiris (Ptah-Sokar-Osiris)

61. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.26 g, 11h). Dated RY 12 (AD 127/128). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Mummiform Osiris (Ptah-Sokar-Osiris) standing right, holding scepter tipped with jackal-head; L ∆ω∆Є KATOV (date) around. Köln 982; Dattari (Savio) 1445 (this coin); K&G 32.458; RPC III 5713/20 (this coin); Emmett 883.12; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 59 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Rare. Exceptional and certainly one of the finest known. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1445.

In his book, Giovanni summarizes the unusual reverse type seen on this billon tetradrachm of Hadrian. The image of the Ptah-Sokar-Osiris divinity belongs to Egyptian theology, and in particular to funeral worship. It brings together three famous members of the Pharaonic Pantheon through their respective symbols: the headdress and scepter for Ptah, the solar disk for Osiris, and the mummiform wrappings for Sokar – the “Lord of the Necropolis.” These three associated divinities call upon the concepts of “mourning” and “life”, evoking at the same time the pain associated with death and the hope of resurrection. The main sanctuaries of Ptah, Sokaris, and Osiris were at Memphis and Abydos.

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62

63

Magnificent Tetradrachm of Hadrian & Sabina 62. Hadrian, with Sabina. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.11 g, 11h). Dated RY 13 (AD 128/129). AVT KAI TPAI A[∆]PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Hadrian / CABINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right of Sabina, wearing stephane; L IΓ (date) upward behind. Köln 997; Dattari (Savio) 1249 (this coin); K&G 32.469; RPC III 5729/25 (this coin); Emmett 886.13; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 91 (this coin). Choice EF, toned, one small spot of verdigris on the reverse. An exceptional, high relief specimen with portraits of the finest style. ($5000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1249.

This type was minted beginning in Hadrian’s regnal year 13, one year before his arrival in Egypt, and continued through his 20th regnal year. In his comments about this particular coin, Giovanni commented: “Our specimen does not need a particular illustration: unless proven otherwise, it is, in all respects, the best in the absolute sense of what is known and published.”

63. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (36mm, 27.86 g, 11h). Dated RY 14 (AD 129/130). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Zeus, holding phiale and scepter, reclining left on the wings of an eagle, head left, standing facing on thunderbolt; L IΔ (date) across lower field. Köln 1025; Dattari (Savio) 1879 & 7814; K&G 32.484 (this coin illustrated); RPC III 5743/27 (this coin); Emmett 1069.14; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 64 (this coin). Good VF, attractive brown patina with an area of green and red on the reverse. ($2000) Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XVIII (3 December 1991), lot 389.

Giovanni comments in his book that this coin is from the “period of the best artistic production.” Indeed, the portraits of Hadrian during this period are some of the most artistic ever created by either provincial or Roman celators.

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64. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Diobol (24mm, 10.12 g, 11h). Dated RY 14 (AD 129/130). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Harpokrates of Alexandria standing right, nude but for chlamys on his left shoulder and crown of two uraei and disk, raising his right finger to his mouth and supporting a cornucopia on a column before him; to right, Egyptian altar on base. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1724 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XIV); K&G 32.495; RPC III 5753/6 (this coin); Emmett 1132.14 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 85 (this coin). Good VF, reddish brown surfaces with a couple spots of green. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite seven examples, four of which are in museum or institutional collections. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1724.

On this extremely rare type, Harpokrates is portrayed as a child, but also he is still “the mystical-virtual son of Isis and Osiris.”

65. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Diobol (25mm, 9.49 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 (AD 129/130). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Tyche standing facing, head left, holding rudder with her right hand, and cradling a cornucopia with her left arm; L I∆ (date) to upper left. Köln 1021; Dattari (Savio) 1851; K&G 32.497; RPC III 5756/28 (this coin); Emmett 1144.14; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 84 (this coin). Superb EF, wonderful dark brown to black patina.

Exceptional, and certainly one of the finest known. ($2000) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, September 1992.

66. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 13.02 g, 11h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/131). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Alexandria standing right, holding vexillum and presenting grain ears to Hadrian standing left, holding scepter; L IE (date) across field. Köln 1026-8; Dattari (Savio) 1268 & 7367; K&G 32.505; RPC III 5768/95 (this coin); Emmett 845.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 60 (this coin). Near EF, lightly toned, some minor porosity. ($300) Ex Harlan J. Berk Ltd. BBS 78 (8 September 1993), lot 581.

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Superb Hadrian Drachm Commemorating His Visit to Alexandria

67. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 24.60 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/131). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Hadrian standing left, holding scepter, greeted by Alexandria, clad in elephant skin headdress, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears and kissing emperor’s extended right hand; L IE (date) across lower field.

Köln 1034; Dattari (Savio) 1610 & 7544-5; K&G 32.509; RPC III 5777/47 (this coin); Emmett 964.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 65 (this coin). Superb EF, lovely reddish brown patina with touches of green in the devices. Extraordinary quality with only a whisper of wear. Certainly one of the finest known examples. ($5000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, February 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano– Franco Chiesa).

This drachm, a two-year type (regnal years 12 and 15), is part of an extensive series of billon and bronze issues that commemorate Hadrian’s triumphant tour of Egypt in AD 130. The trip was marred by the tragic and mysterious death of Hadrian’s young companion, Antinoüs, on their boat trip up the Nile.

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68. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Diobol (25mm, 8.40 g, 10h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/131). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Hadrian, raising his right hand in salute and holding a scepter with his left, seated left on galley sailing left under direction of helmsman; vexillum on front deck, L I E (date) across upper field. Köln 1032; Dattari (Savio) 1582 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. VII); K&G 32.513; RPC III 5785/29 (this coin); Emmett 1127.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 86 (this coin). Choice EF, reddish brown patina with touches of green. A common type, but in an uncommon state of preservation. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1582.

A popular type that was minted during Hadrian’s time in Egypt.

Exceptional Portrait of Sabina

69.

Hadrian, with Sabina. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.23 g, 12h). Dated RY 16 (AD 131/132). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Hadrian / CABЄINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right of Sabina, wearing stephane (or perhaps her hair is pulled into a braid, almost like a diadem), her hair pulled into a queue down her neck; L Iς (date) across field. Köln 1041; Dattari (Savio) 1252 (this coin); K&G 32.515; RPC III 5788/11 (this coin); Emmett 886.16; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 92 (this coin). EF, toned, a bit of porosity. Very rare bust type of Sabina on a Hadrian tetradrachm, with none appearing on CoinArchives. ($4000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, May 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1252.

This particular bust style for Sabina is very rare on tetradrachms issued by Hadrian, with his portrait on the obverse and Sabina’s on the reverse, but it is similar to the portrait on the issues that depict Sabina on the obverse with her enthroned on the reverse in the guise of Demeter (regnal year 15 of Hadrian).

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Reverse Illustrated in Dattari

70. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 16 (AD 131/132). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus seated left on pile of rocks, holding reed with his extended right hand and cornucopia with his left; hippopotamus below; L Iς (date) in left field. Köln 1052-4; Dattari (Savio) 1796 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XIX of 1901 catalogue); K&G 32.518; RPC III 5792/26 (this coin); Emmett 1017.16; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 67 (this coin). Near EF, wonderful dark brown patina with traces of green. A superb portrait of Hadrian, with a wonderful depiction of Nilus on the reverse, which Dattari chose to illustrate the type in the 1901 catalogue of his collection. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, June 1975. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1796.

A common type overall, but with the substitution of a hippotamus for the crocodile on the reverse below Nilus, this variety is a bit more difficult to find, especially in a high grade of preservation such as this specimen from the Dattari collection.

71. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (34mm, 22.07 g, 12h). Dated RY 16 (AD 131/132). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus seated left on pile of rocks, holding reed with his extended right hand and cornucopia with his left; crocodile below; L Iς (date) in left field. Köln 1056 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 1794-5 & 7740-2; K&G 32.519; RPC III 5792/32 (this coin, but should be attributed to RPC III 5791); Emmett 1016.16; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 66 (this coin). Good VF, attractive dark green patina. Choice for type. ($1500) Purchased from Sarti, Varese, October 1984. Ex Sarti Collection (Varese).

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72

73

72. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.03 g, 12h). Dated RY 16 (AD 131/132). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus seated right on pile of rocks, holding reed with his right hand and cornucopia with his left; crocodile to left below; before him, Isis-Euthenia standing facing, head left, holding a sistrum in her raised right hand and two grain ears with her left; L Iς (date) in exergue. Köln 1058; Dattari (Savio) 1811 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XX of 1901 catalogue); K&G 32.520; RPC III 5793/9=10 (this coin); Emmett 1020.16 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 68 (this coin). EF, wonderful dark brown patina with traces of green. A superb portrait of Hadrian, with a wonderful depiction of Nilus and Isis-Euthenia on the reverse, which Dattari chose to illustrate the type in the 1901 catalogue of his collection. ($5000) Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 304; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1811.

Giovanni refers to this coin in his book as “a real jewel of the collection.” An one year type, this is an amazing example. The reference in Emmett to a regnal year 10 example refers to the Dattari coin, no. 1810, which is almost certainly year 16, with the date being mostly off of the flan.

73. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Diobol (24mm, 9.85 g, 11h). Dated RY 16 (AD 131/132). AVT KAI TPAI A∆PIA CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis enthroned right, crowned with horns and disk, suckling the infant Harpokrates, who is crowned with skhent and holding lotus bud; L Iς (date) across field. Köln 1046; Dattari (Savio) 1749 (this coin); K&G 32.530; RPC III 5813/55 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 286); Emmett 1138.16; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 87 (this coin). Near EF, attractive brown surfaces with touches of green. Another common type, but in an uncommon state of preservation. ($1000) Ex Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Collection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988), lot 246, purchased from Kölner Münzkabinett, 1971; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1749.

Following Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the “goddess of a thousand names” became one of the Mediterranean’s principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpokrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.

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74. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.82 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 132/133). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Sarapis standing right, holding a scepter with his left hand and presenting a globe in his extended right hand, facing Hadrian, who is standing facing, head left, resting his right hand on a stele inscribed AΔP/IA/NON in three lines; all within distyle temple, pediment decorated with disk; L IZ (date) in exergue.

Köln 1084; Dattari (Savio) 1946 (this coin); K&G 32.554; RPC III 5845/2 (this coin); Emmett 1042.17; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 69 (this coin). Good VF, lovely dark brown patina with a trace of green. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1946.

A rare variety with Sarapis holding a globe instead of saluting the emperor. The authors of RPC cite two coins: this coin, and the one in the Köln collection. There is also an example in the Ashmolean Museum collection (Milne 1380).

Possible Depiction of Antinoüs as Hermanubis Ex Dattari Collection

75. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.69 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Bust of Hermanubis right, slight drapery, wearing kalathos; L IH (date) to left, palm frond to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 7685 (this coin); K&G 32.584 var. (caduceus-palm frond combination before bust on reverse); RPC III 5891/8 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 291); Emmett 986.18 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 71 (this coin). EF, green and brown patina, minor smoothing. Very rare type for this regnal year. A subtle and artistic coin. ($3000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7685.

Rainer Pudill, in his 2014 book Antinoos – Münzen und Medaillen, classifies this type from Hadrian’s regnal year 18 as “pseudo-Antinoos” or a “hidden” representation of Antinoüs (see p. 96). Indeed, when Hadrian introduced coinage at Alexandria specifically to honor Antinoüs, he is always depicted in the guise of Hermanubis or Hermes.

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76

77

Exceptional Isis Pharia and the Pharos 76. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 28.85 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN • [A∆PIA]NOC CЄB, bareheaded bust left, slight drapery / Isis Pharia, holding billowing sail, sailing right before the Pharos of Alexandria, which is surmounted by a statue and two Tritons; L IH (date) above. Köln 1123; Dattari (Savio) 7719 (this coin); K&G 32.587; RPC III 5896/11 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 292); Emmett 1002.18 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 72 (this coin). EF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green. Wonderful artistic bust of Hadrian, and very rare compared to the typical laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust to the right. ($5000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7719.

77. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.94 g, 11h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Two canopic jars of Osiris, both crowned with different headdresses and decorations on the jars; L I H (date) across the field. Köln 1107-8; Dattari (Savio) 7593 (this coin); K&G 32.590; RPC III 5881/35 (this coin); Emmett 933.18; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 70 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Well struck, which shows all of the detail on the canopic jars. ($5000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7593.

A wonderful type that depicts two canopic jars. Canopic jars were used to store the organs that were removed from the body during the mummification process, specifically the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines. The term “canopic” to describe such vessels is a misnomer, being derived from the port city of Canopus, where the god Osiris was worshipped in the form of a jar.

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78.

Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (36mm, 24.14 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped busts of Sarapis, wearing modius, and Isis, wearing crown of disk and horns, vis-à-vis; between them, a figure of Harpokrates standing left, holding hand to mouth; all set on eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings displayed; L IH (date) across lower field. Köln 1129; Dattari (Savio) 1843 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XXIII of 1901 catalogue); K&G 32.594; RPC III 5902/8 (this coin); Emmett 1041.18 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 73 (this coin). Good VF, dark reddish brown surfaces with touches of green, some minor roughness, small pit on the head of Isis.

Extremely rare, probably one the finest examples known. A wonderful depiction of the pantheon of Sarapis, Isis, and Harpokrates, which Dattari chose to illustrate the type in the 1901 catalogue of his collection. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1843.

Egyptian Androsphinx

79. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (36mm, 28.21 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Male androsphinx standing left, wearing Atef crown and ritual beard, with the body of a lion and the head of a crocodile emerging from its chest, and its tail is the Uraeus serpent wearing a solar disk; perched on its back, griffin (Nemesis) seated left, its right forepaw resting on a wheel; [L] IH (date) across upper field. Köln 1132; Dattari (Savio) 2004 (this coin); K&G 32.597; RPC III 5912/14 (this coin); Emmett 1056.18; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 74 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with traces of green. A wonderful type. Only a small number of mostly well-worn pieces have come across the auction block over the last 20 years, with only one with the androsphinx facing left (CNG 94, lot 928). ($5000) Ex Kölner Münzkabinett 67 (12 November 1997), lot 556; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2004.

This type appears to be rarer than indicated in Emmett, where it is given an “R1” rating. The authors of RPC list sixteen examples, of which thirteen are in either museums or university collections.

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80. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Hemidrachm (29mm, 13.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN • A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis enthroned left, holding a sistrum with her extended right hand and a scepter with her left; I/L H (date) across field. Köln 1116; Dattari (Savio) 1748 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XVII); K&G 32.607; RPC III 5923/31 (this coin); Emmett 1090.18; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 83 (this coin). EF, attractive reddish brown patina with traces of green. A one-year type for Hadrian. ($2000) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 303; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1748.

81. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Diobol (25mm, 9.69 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 133/134). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Apis bull standing right, with a crescent on its side; altar before; IH (date) above; L in exergue. Köln 1099-1100; Dattari (Savio) 7920 (this coin); K&G 32.610; RPC III 5927/42 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 294, but incorrectly identified as Dattari 2009. This coin is listed as 5927/45 = DS 7920); Emmett 1114.18; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 88 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces with traces of green. An iconic Alexandrian reverse type. ($1000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7920.

In Egyptian mythology, Apis is a sacred bull worshipped primarily in Memphis. Identified as the son of Hathor, a primary deity in the pantheon of ancient Egypt, he was initially assigned a significant role in her worship, being sacrificed and reborn. Later, Apis also served as an intermediary between humans and other powerful deities (first Ptah, later Osiris, then Atum).

The Apis bull was one of the most important of all the sacred animals in Egypt, and, as with the others, this importance increased as time went on. During the colonization of Egypt, Greek and Roman authors had much to say about the Apis bull: the markings by which the black calf was recognized, the manner of his conception by a ray from heaven, his house at Memphis with a court for his amusement, the mode of prognostication from his actions, his death, the mourning at his death, his costly burial, and the rejoicings throughout the country when a new Apis was found. Auguste Mariette’s excavation of the Serapeum of Saqqara revealed the tombs of more than sixty animals, ranging from the time of Amenhotep III to that of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

82. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.15 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Artemis advancing right, wearing chiton and peplos, holding a bow with her left hand, and grasping the forelegs of a stag with her right hand; L ЄN NЄAKΔ (date) around. Köln 1163; Dattari (Savio) 1615 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. IX of 1901 catalogue); K&G 32.634; RPC III 5955/18 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 296); Emmett 916.19 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 75 (this coin). Good VF, thick reddish brown and green patina. Very rare, only two well-worn examples in CoinArchives. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1615.

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83. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (36mm, 26.79 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis-Euthenia enthroned left, wearing headdress of Isis, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears with her extended right hand and a short scepter with her left along with a fold of her peplos; L Є NN ЄAKΔ (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 7656 (this coin); K&G –; RPC III 5979/3 (this coin, illustrated on pl.

298); Emmett 993.19 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 76 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with patches of green, some minor roughness. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite four specimens: this coin, the Pudill collection, one in the American Numismatic Society collection, and one in the Demetrio collection. Emmett adds another in Mionnet (no. 1257), which Mionnet listed as being in the collection of M. Tôchon in Paris. The Tôchon coin could be either the present coin, which is ex Dattari, or the Pudill specimen. ($2000) Ex UBS 56 (28 January 2003), lot 264; UBS 55 (16 September 2002), lot 1932; Leu Numismatik 71 (24 October 1997), lot 379; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7656.

Although there appears to be some confusion over the identity of the deity on the reverse of this extremely rare coin, we agree with Giovanni that it is Isis-Euthenia. The authors of RPC describe the figure as Demeter(?), based on a perceived veil, but this “veil” is most likely the result of a slight die shift or the coin even being overstruck.

84. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 24.98 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate head left / Harpokrates of Herakleopolis, kalathos on his head, standing facing, head left, raising his right finger to his mouth, cradling a club with his left arm; altar at feet to left; L ЄNNЄ AKΔ (date) around. Köln 1177; Dattari (Savio) 1730; K&G 32.653; RPC III 6002/11 (this coin); Emmett 979.19; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 78 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Rare with bust left, only one specimen on CoinArchives (CNG E-Sale 286, lot 257), which only graded Fair. ($3000) Ex UBS 83 (8 September 2009), lot 238.

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Harpokrates of Buto A Classic Rarity of the Alexandrian Series

85. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (33mm, 30.59 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Harpokrates of Buto, nude but for decorated collar and crown of disk and horns, squatting left on lotus flower with bud to right, raising his right finger to his mouth, holding a lotus bud with his left hand; L ЄNN ЄAKΔ (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1725 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XIV); K&G 32.655; RPC III 5999/3 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 299); Emmett 975.19 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 77 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with patches of green, traces of red, twice holed in antiquity – which do not affect any significant part of the design. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite four specimens: this coin (Dattari 1725), the Wetterstrom specimen (CNA XIII, lot 68), the Aiello specimen, and Dattari (Savio) 7662. To this census, we can add one additional specimen that appeared in CNG E-Sale 364 (2015), lot 546. One of the classic rarities of the Alexandrian series, with four of the five, excluding the Aiello coin, struck from the same pair of dies. ($5000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, January 1975. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1725.

A canonical representation of Harpokrates that only appears in Hadrian’s regnal year 19. Of the five specimens known, this may be the finest.

The two holes indicate some sort of practical usage, decorative or jewelry, and the importance of the type even in antiquity.

Extremely Rare Representation of an Egyptian Temple

86. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (34mm, 25.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Pylon (entryway) of an Egyptian temple with a wide door or gate decorated with a garland above; to either side of the gate, an obelisk with two windows above; in the center of the pylon above the gate, a facing statue of Isis wearing headdress and holding long scepter or torch; ЄN NЄ AKΔ (date) around, L in exergue. Köln 1187; Dattari (Savio) 1970 (this coin); K&G 32.670; RPC III 6038/17 (this coin); Emmett 996.19; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 80 (this coin). VF, reddish brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare representation of an Egyptian temple on an Alexandrian coin. Only one other on CoinArchives. ($2000) Ex Numismatik Lanz 109 (27 May 2002), lot 448; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1970.

This type appears to be rarer than indicated in Emmett, where it is given an “R1” rating. The authors of RPC list only twenty-six examples for both obverse types (bust right and left), most of which are in museum or institutional collections. This coin and the one we sold in 2010 (CNG E-Sale 237, lot 221) are the only two specimens to appear on the market in the last fifteen years, with this coin being superior in condition.

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Zeus-Sarapis Riding Ammon

87.

Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (34mm, 27.08 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). [A]VT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄ[B], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Zeus-Sarapis seated facing, head right, on a ram (Ammon or Khnum?) walking right, Zeus-Sarapis holding long scepter and wearing kalathos, ram looking back at him; L ЄN NЄAKΔ (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 7780 (this coin); K&G –; RPC III 6033/5 (this coin, but not recognized as DS 7780); Emmett 1035.19 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 81 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green and red.

Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite five examples, but list this coin twice, since it was not recognized as the Dattari specimen, leaving us with four examples known: Staaatliche Münzsammlung Munich; Aufhäuser 12 (1986), lot 550; Matthijs Collection = Wetterstrom Collection (CNA XIII, 1990), lot 69; and Dattari 7780 = Staffieri Collection – this coin. ($3000) Ex Kurpfälzische Münzhandlung 49 (13 December 1995), lot 360; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7780.

Another great rarity of the Alexandrian series, it is known for only two regnal years for Hadrian (years 18 and 19). Regnal year 18 (RPC III 5905) is known from only two examples: one in the Demetrio collection (no. 1417), and one in the Marcel Jungfleisch Collection (Sotheby & Co., 1972), lot 70. Together with the four examples known for RY 19, this is an elusive rarity that is missing from most collections – public and private.

Goddess of a Thousand Names

88. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.56 g, 12h). Dated RY 19 (AD 134/135). AVT KAIC TPAIAN A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis enthroned right, crowned with horns and disk, suckling the infant Harpokrates, who is crowned with skhent and holding club; all within distyle temple, pediment decorated with horns and disk; L ЄNN ЄAKΔ (date) around. Köln 1189; Dattari (Savio) 1955 (this coin); K&G 32.676; RPC III 6040/10 (this coin); Emmett 998.19; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 79 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Very rare. ($3000) Ex Gilbert Steinberg Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica/Spink Taisei Numismatics, Zürich, 16 November 1994), lot 835; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1955.

Following Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the “goddess of a thousand names” became one of the Mediterranean’s principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpokrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.

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89.

Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (36mm, 28.56 g, 12h). Dated RY 20 (AD 135/136). [AVT KAIC T]PAIAN • AΔPIANO[C CЄB], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Ram, wearing crown composed of two uraei and disk, standing right before altar; above, draped bust right of Sarapis wearing kalathos; L K (date) across upper field. Köln 1206; Dattari (Savio) 1825 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XXII); K&G 32.715; RPC III 6110/15 (this coin); Emmett 1028.20 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 82 (this coin). VF, reddish brown and green patina. A one-year type coin for Hadrian. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1825.

An interesting type that is often misidentified as a ‘Zodiac’ type (Aries). Unlike the coin in lot 87, with Zeus-Sarapis riding a ram, this is the more commonly encountered type depicting Sarapis in combination with Ammon or Khnum.

90. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.49 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 (AD 136/137). AVT KAIC TPAIA A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate head right / Triptolemus driving biga of serpents right; L KA (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1487 (this coin); K&G 32.724; RPC III 6138/1 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 310–described in RPC as DS 7477 in error); Emmett 900.21; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 61 (this coin–described as DS 7478 in error). Near EF, toned. Great metal quality. Well centered and struck. ($1500) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1487.

91. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Obol (19mm, 5.06 g, 11h). Dated RY 21 (AD 136/137). AVT KAIC TPA I A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate head right / Kalathos between two torches; L KA (date) in exergue. Köln 1224; Dattari (Savio) 7849 (this coin); K&G 32.762; RPC III 6244/49 (this coin); Emmett 1166.21; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 89 (this coin). Near EF, attractive brown surfaces with traces of green and red. Another common type, but in an uncommon state of preservation. ($500) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7849.

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92.

Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.62 g, 12h). Dated RY 22 (AD 137/138). AVT KAIC TPA A∆PIANOC CЄB, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Nilus seated left, holding reed and cornucopia; below, crocodile to right; L KB (date) in upper left field. Köln 1241-2; Dattari (Savio) 1440 (this coin); K&G 32.767 (cross reference to DS 1438 in error); RPC III 6250/25 (this coin, but DS 1440); Emmett 879.22; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 62 (this coin–described as DS 1438 in error). EF, toned, just a bit of porosity. Rare regnal year for this type. Great portrait. ($1000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, May 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 1440.

Fine Style Sabina

93. Sabina. Augusta, AD 128-136/7. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.27 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/131). CABINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right of Sabina, wearing stephane / CABЄINA CЄBACTH, Sabina, as Demeter, seated left, holding two grain ears with her extended right hand and a long scepter with her left; L IE (date) in upper left field. Köln 1263-4; Dattari (Savio) 2061 (this coin); K&G 33.2; RPC III 5773/18 (this coin, incorrectly recorded as 5772/11; also this coin is clearly RY 15 per the note in RPC); Emmett 1334.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 93 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Fine style and great metal for the issue. ($1000) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 360 (27 April 1999), lot 693; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2061.

The reverse of this scarce issue depicts Sabina as Demeter on the reverse (or perhaps Isis-Demeter if she is wearing an Isis crown instead of a stephane). It is also interesting to note the discrepancy in the spelling of her name between the obverse and reverse (CABINA versus CABЄINA), which clearly indicates a lack of consistency amongst the engravers.

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94. Sabina. Augusta, AD 128-136/7. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.88 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 130/131). CABЄINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right of Sabina, wearing stephane (or perhaps her hair is pulled into a braid, almost like a diadem), her hair pulled into a queue down her neck / CABЄINA CЄBACTH, Sabina, as Demeter, seated left, holding two grain ears with her extended right hand and a long scepter with her left; L IE (date) in upper left field. Köln 1262; Dattari (Savio) 2066 (this coin); K&G 33.3; RPC III 5774/13 (this coin); Emmett 1334.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 94 (this coin). EF, toned, light porosity. Very rare bust type for Sabina, with only three appearing on CoinArchives. ($1500) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2066.

Unlike the previous coin, this coin is consistent in the spelling of CABЄINA between the obverse and reverse.

The Worship of Antinoüs

95. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Drachm (36mm, 19.10 g, 12h). Dated RY 20 of Hadrian (AD 135/136). [ANTINOOV HPωOC], draped bust left, wearing hem-hem crown / Antinoüs (as Hermes), wearing chlamys, holding caduceus with his right hand, on horseback right; L K (date) across field. Cf. Köln 1281-2; Dattari (Savio) 2087 (this coin); K&G 34a.4; RPC III 6228/11 (this coin; listed under RY 21); Emmett 1346.20 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 95 (this coin). VF, reddish brown patina with touches of green, flan crack. Rare. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2087.

The authors of RPC do not catalogue any coins of Antinoüs for Hadrian’s regnal year 20, preferring to list them all under year 21, but they do state that “there is no obvious reason why there should not be any, since year 21 is well attested.” As Antinoüs’ coinage from Alexandria begins with RY 19, it would make sense that coins were dated for RY 20 also, in addition to RY 21. As there are not any remnants of the letter A (for KA = 21) on this coin, Giovanni, just as Dattari before him, dates this coin to Hadrian’s regnal year 20.

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The Finest Antinoüs Æ Drachm in Private Hands

96. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Drachm (33mm, 26.65 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 of Hadrian (AD 136/137). ANTINOOV • HPωOC •, draped bust left, wearing hem-hem crown / Antinoüs (as Hermes), wearing chlamys, holding caduceus with his right hand, on horseback right; L KA (date) across field. Cf. Köln 1281; Dattari (Savio) 2089 (this coin – illustrated on pl. II for the obverse, and pl. VIII for the reverse); K&G 34a.5; RPC III 6228/13 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 316); Emmett 1346.21 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 96 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Rare. An exceptional, high relief specimen with a portrait of the finest style, and certainly engraved by a master. ($50,000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2089.

This coin is Giovanni’s favorite coin in his collection, and he used it as the cover coin for his book, Alexandria In Nummis. He also considers it the finest known example in private hands. Giovanni purchased this coin from Dr. Piero Beretta (1925-1994), and as he relates in his book, it was a “financial sacrifice” in 1976 to purchase this coin from Dr. Beretta, who was a classical art teacher with “exquisite” taste. Dr. Beretta was one of the first collectors to have the opportunity to purchase coins from the Dattari collection when it was dispersed, and he was able to purchase some of the best and finest pieces in the collection.

One of the most remarkable cults of the ancient world was that which grew up around the youth Antinoüs, a boy from Claudiopolis in Bithynia who attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian. Hadrian apparently had little love for his wife Sabina, and chose instead to shower favors on the handsome youth, whom he apparently chanced upon during a visit to Bithynia. During the emperor’s tour of Egypt in October AD 130, Antinoüs fell into the Nile and drowned, an event resulting in suspicions of suicide or ritual murder. The distraught Hadrian had his favorite immediately deified, and the worship of Antinoüs became an important facet of the imperial cult. Within a few years, the worship of Antinoüs was far larger than the worship of another “cult” figure of the period – Jesus Christ.

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97. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Hemidrachm (28mm, 12.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 of Hadrian (AD 136/137). ANTINOOV HPωOC, draped bust left, wearing hem-hem crown / Antinoüs (as Hermes), wearing chlamys, holding caduceus with his right hand, on horseback right; [KA] (date) before, L below. Köln 1278 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 2090 & 8015; K&G 34a.6 (this coin illustrated); RPC III 6235/10 (this coin); Emmett 1347.21 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 97 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with traces of green. Very rare, especially when compared to the drachm and diobol, and of fine style. ($2000) Ex Triton VII (13 January 2004), lot 737; Classical Numismatic Group 55 (13 September 2000), lot 984 (misdescribed as a diobol); Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 80; Harvey J. Hoffer Collection (Harmer Rooke Galleries, 12 December 1986), lot 952.

98. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Diobol (23mm, 10.94 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 of Hadrian (AD 136/137). ANTINOO[V] • HPωOC •, draped bust left, wearing hem-hem crown / Antinoüs (as Hermes), wearing chlamys, holding caduceus with his right hand, on horseback right; L K/[A] (date) across field. Köln 1279 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 8017 (this coin); K&G 34a.7; RPC III 6243/16 (this coin); Emmett 1348.21 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 98 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Rare, and of the finest style. ($3000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8017.

99. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Dichalkon (13mm, 2.27 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 of Hadrian (AD 136/137). Draped bust right, wearing hem-hem crown / Caduceus; L [A]/K (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 34a.8; RPC III 6249/8 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 317); Emmett 1349.21 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 99 (this coin). VF, brown surfaces with touches of green and red. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite eight specimens total, including this coin, for all three years of production (regnal years 19, 20, and 21). ($2000) Ex Astarte 1 (11 May 1998), lot 255; Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 77; Bankhaus Aufhäuser 5 (5 October 1988), lot 292; Leu 33 (3 May 1983), lot 62.

A great rarity, which is indicated by the fact that Giovanni Dattari did not own an example in his massive collection.

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100. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. PB Tessera (17mm, 3.04 g, 6h). Possibly struck at Antinoöpolis. Dated RY 20 of an uncertain period. Draped bust right, wearing hem-hem crown, caduceus behind his shoulder; L K (date) to right / Half-length figure of Nilus facing, head right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2092 (this piece, illustrated on pl. II); K&G –; RPC III –; Emmett –; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 100 (this piece). VF, muddy brown patina, some roughness. Extremely rare. ($500) Ex Triton VII (13 January 2004), lot 736; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2092.

When this lead token appeared in our Triton VII auction in 2004, we described it as ex Dattari Collection based on the “poor photographic reproduction of a cast on plate II in the catalogue of his collection,” which was of the obverse only. With the publication of the Dattari-Savio plates of Dattari’s entire collection, which contains both obverse and reverse photos of pencil rubbings, we can now confirm the Dattari provenance.

Exceptional Fine Style Aelius

101. Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.51 g, 12h). Struck AD 137. Λ • AIΛIOC • KAICAP •, bare head right / ΔHM • ЄΞOV C • VΠAT • B •, Homonoia standing facing, head left, holding a phiale with her right hand over a lighted and garlanded altar to left, and cradling a cornucopia with her left arm. Köln 1271; Dattari (Savio) 2074 (this coin – obverse illustrated on pl. II and reverse illustrated on pl. XVI); K&G 34.2; RPC III 6140/49 (this coin); Emmett 1350; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 163 (this coin). EF, toned. Exceptional, and fine style. Certainly one of, if not the finest known. ($1500) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), December 1986.

An interesting dating convention for the time, this series of tetradrachms was issued carrying Aelius’ titles (and subsequent dates) as tribune and consul, the latter for the second time. Other series from Alexandria generally involved the dating of the coins with respect to the emperor’s regnal year rather than the conventions employed here.

102. Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. Æ Drachm (33mm, 24.93 g, 11h). Struck AD 137. Λ AIΛIOC KA[ICAP], bareheaded and draped bust right / ΔHM Є[Ξ]OYC YΠAT • B, Homonoia enthroned left, holding phiale with her extended right hand, her left arm resting on throne’s armrest; cornucopia at side of throne; [O]MONOIA in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2076 & 7990-1; K&G 34.4; RPC III 6226/45 (this coin); Emmett 1351; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 164 (this coin). VF, dark green to black patina, minor roughness. ($1000) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 534.

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103. Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. Æ Hemidrachm (28mm, 11.36 g, 12h). Struck AD 137. Λ AIΛI[OC K]AICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / [Δ]HM ЄΞOY C [Y]ΠAT • B •, Homonoia enthroned left, holding phiale with her extended right hand, her left arm resting on throne’s armrest; cornucopia at side of throne; OMONOIA in exergue. Köln 1273; Dattari (Savio) 2078 & 7995; K&G 34.5; RPC III 6234/26 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 316); Emmett 1352 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 165 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces. Very rare denomination for Aelius, and this is an exceptional example. ($1500) Ex Auctiones AG 26 (16 September 1996), lot 409.

104. Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. Æ Diobol (24mm, 7.72 g, 11h). Struck AD 137. Λ • AIΛIOC KAICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / [ΔHM] ЄΞOYC • VΠAT • B, Homonoia standing facing, head left, holding phiale with her extended right hand and grain ears with her left. Köln 1272 var. (arrangement of rev. legend); Dattari (Savio) 2079 & 8000-1; K&G 34.6; RPC III 6242/36 (this coin); Emmett 1353 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 166 (this coin). Good VF, dark green and brown patina with some earthen highlights/deposits on the reverse. Rare. ($500) Ex Kurpfälzische Münzhandlung 69 (13 December 2005), lot 184.

Extremely Rare Obol of Aelius

105. Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. Æ Obol (20mm, 6.70 g, 12h). Dated RY 22 of Hadrian (AD 137/138). Λ AIΛIOC KAICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / Bust of Harpokrates of Pelusium right, slight drapery, wearing hem-hem crown; pomegranate before; [L K] B (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8002; K&G –; RPC III 6260/3 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 318); Emmett 1354 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 167 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite only three specimens: P FG 2498 (the abbreviation for the collection, P FG, is not listed in RPC under abbreviations, so the source is uncertain); Dattari-Savio 8002; and this coin. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 39 (18 September 1996), lot 1054.

When we cataloged this coin previously, we noted that “It uses a common reverse type for Hadrian from his regnal year 22 and can probably be die-linked to a Hadrian obol of this same type and year.” See RPC III 6256-7 for the Hadrian obol type.

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106.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 11.17 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). [AVT] K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄV[CЄB], bareheaded bust right, slight drapery / AI ωN, nimbate Phoenix standing right; L B (date) across lower field. Köln 1290; Dattari (Savio) 2431; K&G 35.2; Emmett 1419.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 104 (this coin). Near EF, toned, minor porosity. A two-year tetradrachm type for Pius (regnal years 2 and 6). ($500) Ex Joel L. Malter & Company II (The Coinage of Ancient Egypt, 23 February 1978), lot 341.

AD 139 marked the renewal of the Great Sothic Cycle, a cycle of 1461 years beginning when the star Sothis (Sirius) rises on the same point on the horizon as the sun. This tetradrachm type was initially minted in year 2 (AD 138/139), but was then reintroduced for year 6 of Pius’ reign.

107.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.32 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). [AV]T K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC Є[VCЄB], bareheaded bust right, slight drapery / Canopus of Osiris right; ЄTO VC B (date) around.

Köln 1285 corr. (draped and cuirassed bust); Dattari (Savio) 2179 & 8115; K&G 35.6; Emmett 1373.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 101 (this coin). Superb EF, toned, slight obverse die shift. A one-year tetradrachm type for Pius, with magnificent detail on the canopus. ($2000) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, April 1991.

Canopic jars were used to store the organs that were removed from the body during the mummification process, specifically the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines. The term “canopic” to describe such vessels is a misnomer, being derived from the port city of Canopus, where the god Osiris was worshipped in the form of a jar.

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Artistic Bust of Sarapis

108.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.49 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVC CЄB, bare head right / Draped bust right of Sarapis, wearing an ornate kalathos; ЄTO VC B (date) around.

Köln 1296 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 2338 (this coin); K&G 35.8 var. (same); Emmett 1426.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 103 (this coin). EF, toned. Fine style portrait of Pius and a wonderful, artistic rendition of Sarapis. ($1000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2338.

Fine Style Antonine Portrait

109.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 13.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC Є VC CЄB, bareheaded bust right, slight drapery / Dikaiosyne standing facing, head left, holding scales with her right hand and a cornucopia with her left; L B (date) across field. Köln 1287 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 8127 (this coin); K&G 35.10 var. (same); Emmett 1375.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 102 (this coin). EF, toned. Fine style portrait. ($1000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8127.

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Iconic Nilus Riding Hippopotamus

110.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 22.28 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). AVT [K T AIΛ] A∆P ANTωNINOC [ЄVCЄB], bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus seated left on hippopotamus walking left, holding two stalks of grain with his right hand and a cornucopia with his left; ЄT O VC B (date) around. Köln 1308 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 8649 (this coin); K&G 35.18; Emmett 1626.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 110 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Very rare. Only one in CoinArchives (CNG 91, lot 756), and this coin is superior, especially the reverse. ($5000) Ex Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Collection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988), lot 267 (where this coin is incorrectly identified as being Dattari 2774); Münzen und Medaillen AG 46 (28 April 1972), lot 194; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8649.

One of the classic rarities and iconic types from the Alexandrian mint. Although identified as being no. 2774 from the Dattari collection, which was not plated in his 1901 catalogue, after comparing it to the Dattari-Savio plates it is most likely Dattari 8649. The pencil rubbing of the obverse is quite vague, but the reverse is clear enough to make the identification.

Exquisite Early Portrait

111.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 26.91 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). AVT • K • T AIΛ A∆P • ANTωNINOC [ЄVC]ЄB, bareheaded and draped bust right / ЄVΘHNIA, Euthenia, wearing a crown of an uraeus between two grain ears, reclining left on androsphinx, holding two grain ears with her right hand, and an outstretched fold of her garment containing fruit and lotus; L B (date) in exergue. Köln 1302; Dattari (Savio) 8446-7; K&G 35.21; Emmett 1518.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 109 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. An early portrait of exquisite execution, which is far superior to any at auction since 2000. ($3000) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), February 1976.

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112.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 138/139). AV T K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB, bareheaded bust right, slight drapery / Tyche reclining left on lectisternium (couch), holding rudder with her right hand, resting her left elbow on pile of pillows and propping her head on hand; L B (date) above. Köln 1312-3 var. (obv. bust type); Dattari (Savio) 8765 (this coin, obv. photo is incorrect in the plates); K&G 35.33 var. (same); Emmett 1687.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 111 (this coin). EF, attractive reddish brown patina with touches of green. Another early portrait of exquisite execution, which is far superior to any at auction since 2000 for this regnal year. ($3000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8765.

113.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 25.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 139/140). AVT • K • T • AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄ B, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Sarapis enthroned left, holding a long scepter with his left hand, extending his right hand toward Kerberos, who is seated at his feet; L TPITOY (date) around to upper left.

Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2842 (this coin); K&G 35.57; Emmett 1663.3 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 115 (this coin).

Near EF, attractive dark brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare type for this regnal year, and another exceptional bust of Antoninus. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, September 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2842.

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114.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 25.16 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 139/140). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVC CЄB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / M AVPHΛIOC KAIC, Marcus Aurelius on horseback right, bareheaded, wearing chlamys and holding short scepter with his right hand; in exergue, L Γ (date). Köln 1324 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 2119; K&G 35.58 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 1605.3 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 112 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with earthen highlights/deposits. Extremely rare, with none appearing on CoinArchives. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 90; Schweizerischer Kreditanstalt 5 (18 April 1986), lot 426.

The figure of the “princeps juventutis” on horseback on this extremely rare type is that of Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, on the occasion of his first consulate in January of AD 141.

115.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 23.03 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 139/140). [AVT K T] AIΛ A∆PI • ANTωN[INOC ЄVCЄB], bare head right / Isis Pharia, holding billowing sail, sailing right before the Pharos of Alexandria, which is surmounted by a statue and two Tritons; L TP I T OV (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8564 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 1592.3 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 113 (this coin). VF, smooth, attractive brown patina with traces of green and red. Extremely rare type for this regnal year. ($2000) Ex Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 11 (with Nomos AG, 7 November 2002), lot 206; Bayerische Vereinsbank Münzschätze FPL 14 (München, 1977), lot 173; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8564.

Isis Pharia sailing toward the Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria is one of the most popular of all the Alexandrian reverse types. Antoninus Pius, according to Keith Emmett’s study, struck this type for his regnal years 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 18, and the only year that Emmett did not assign at least a rarity of 3 or more to was regnal year 12 (R1).

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A Masterpiece of Artistic Workmanship

116.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 25.67 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 139/140). AVT K • T AIΛ A∆P • ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB •, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust right of Sarapis, wearing an ornate kalathos; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8668 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 1647.3 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 114 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare type for this regnal year, and probably the finest known. ($7500) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, November 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8668.

Another wonderful bronze from the Staffieri collection, which he called “stato zecca” (or “Mint State”) in the catalogue of his collection.

While it does show some wear on the highpoints, it is hard to imagine a better example existing.

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117.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.56 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). AV[T] K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Helmeted half-length nude bust right of Ares (Mars), seen from behind, wearing crested Corinthian helmet and balteus (sword belt); L ∆ (date) to right. Köln 1335 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 8306 (this coin); K&G 35.72; Emmett 1458.4 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 116 (this coin); Staffieri, “Sulla Testimonianza di un Ares Policleteo Nella Monetazione Imperiale Alessandrina” (NACQT Vol. XXII, Lugano, 1993), pp. 187-199, Fig. 2 (rev. of this coin illustrated). VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green, flan crack, spot of corrosion behind Pius’ neck, some minor smoothing on the reverse. Extremely rare, a type issued by Pius only during his fourth regnal year. ($3000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8306.

In the aforementioned article by Giovanni, he compares the reverse of this coin to the statue found at Hadrian’s villa (Fig. 7 in his article).

Wonderful Depiction of Kronos

118.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 26.99 g, 1h). Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped and veiled bust right of Kronos, crowned with solar disk; falx (sickle) to right; L ∆ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8583 (same dies); K&G 35.92 var. (date spelled out, falx behind Kronos’ shoulder = Dattari 2684); Emmett 1595.4 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 117 (this coin). Near EF, attractive dark brown patina with traces of green. Extremely rare, a type issued by Pius only during his fourth regnal year.

An exceptional bust of Kronos, with only two other specimens appearing in auction since 2000. ($5000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, September 1973. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan).

Giovanni purchased this coin from Dr. Beretta, one of his sources for Dattari coins, and believed it to be Dattari 8583 (and it does share the same dies). Dattari 8583 was, however, part of the Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Collection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988, lot 270), and it was recently sold again by Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. in their Auction 420, lot 308 (1 November 2017). Most likely, this was another example of this rare type that was acquired by Dr. Beretta from another source, and due to sharing the same dies, he thought it to be the Dattari coin.

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119.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (36mm, 26.50 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNIN[OC ЄVC CЄB], laureate head right / Zeus (‘Jupiter Capitolinus’) enthroned left, holding phiale in his extended right hand and scepter with his left; at his feet, eagle standing left, head right, wings closed; L ∆ (date) across upper field.

Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8798 (this coin); K&G 35.96 var. (obv. bust type and legend, date spelled out); Emmett 1697.4 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 118 (this coin). Good VF, lovely reddish brown patina with traces of green. Very rare, especially with this bust type. A pleasing example of an iconic reverse type. ($1000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, May 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8798.

Sarapis – A Syncretic God

120.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.08 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC [ЄV]CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Radiate and draped bust of Sarapis-Pantheos right, wearing kalathos and horn of Ammon; before, trident of Poseidon entwined with serpent of Asklepios; L Є (date) across field.

Köln 1412 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 8725 (this coin); K&G 35.163; Emmett 1676.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 119 (this coin). Good VF, attractive tan and dark brown surfaces. Very rare. An exceptional Alexandrian type. ($5000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8725.

Sarapis was a syncretic god, combining Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian religious beliefs. His name is of Egyptian origin and derives from a synthesis of Ausar (Greek, Osiris), the Egyptian god of the Underworld, and Hapi (Greek, Apis), a manifestation of the god Ptah. Under the Ptolemies, Sarapis became the chief tutelary god and the subject of a royally-sponsored cult, whose emphasis on an afterlife made the worship of Sarapis one of the more popular mystery cults. His immense popularity soon extended to his creation as Sarapis-Pantheos, a hybrid deity incorporating other divine elements. In the case of the present specimen from the Staffieri collection, he is depicted with the radiate crown of Helios, his own kalathos, the ram’s horn of Ammon, and the trident of Poseidon entwined with the serpent of Asklepios. In Alexandria, a large temple complex, called the Serapeum, was constructed and remained highly patronized well into the fourth century AD. Shortly after the imperial decree of AD 391, officially declaring pagan temples closed, the Serapeum was besieged, plundered, and destroyed.

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121.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Diobol (23mm, 10.10 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄY CЄB, laureate head right / Apis bull standing right, with a crescent on its side; altar before; L Є (date) above. Köln 1383; Dattari (Savio) 3089 (this coin); K&G 35.174; Emmett 1737.5 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 130 (this coin). EF, attractive dark brown patina with traces of green. An exceptional specimen. ($1000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3089.

In Egyptian mythology, Apis is a sacred bull worshipped primarily in Memphis. Identified as the son of Hathor, a primary deity in the pantheon of ancient Egypt, he was initially assigned a significant role in her worship, being sacrificed and reborn. Later, Apis also served as an intermediary between humans and other powerful deities (first Ptah, later Osiris, then Atum).

The Apis bull was one of the most important of all the sacred animals in Egypt, and, as with the others, this importance increased as time went on. During the colonization of Egypt, Greek and Roman authors had much to say about the Apis bull: the markings by which the black calf was recognized, the manner of his conception by a ray from heaven, his house at Memphis with a court for his amusement, the mode of prognostication from his actions, his death, the mourning at his death, his costly burial, and the rejoicings throughout the country when a new Apis was found. Auguste Mariette’s excavation of the Serapeum of Saqqara revealed the tombs of more than sixty animals, ranging from the time of Amenhotep III to that of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Rare Depiction of Athena Stathmia

122.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.58 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 (AD 143/144). ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Athena Stathmia standing facing, head left, holding the scales and cornucopia of Dikaiosyne, shield at her side; L Z (date) in upper left field. Köln 1431; Dattari (Savio) 2177; K&G 35.199; Emmett 1372.7; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 105 (this coin). EF, toned with areas of find patina. Rare reverse type, with a fine style obverse portrait. ($500) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, September 1972.

The reverse type for this coin is an excellent example of syncretic deities being developed at the Alexandrian mint. In this case, Athena is depicted with a scale and cornucopia – the attributes of Dikaiosyne.

Aurelius Becomes Caesar

123.

Antoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius as Caesar. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.88 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 (AD 143/144). ANTωNINOC CЄ B ЄYCЄB, laureate head right of Antoninus Pius / • M • AYPH KAICAP, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Marcus Aurelius; L Z (date) below. Köln 1437 var. (rev. legend and placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 8046 (this coin); K&G 35.211 var. (same); Emmett 1406.7 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 162 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Very rare. ($1000) Ex Auctiones AG 7 (7 June 1977), lot 449; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8046.

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Very Rare Zodiac Wheel

124.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (37mm, 23.78 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). AVT K T A[I]Λ A∆[P] ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄV, laureate head right / Two Zodiac wheels, one inside the other, “Aries” at the top, the signs of both coinciding; in the innermost circle, conjoined busts left of Sarapis and Isis (with their typical attributes); not dated.

Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2983 (same rev. die); K&G 35.257 (rev. of this coin illustrated); Emmett 1708.8; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 145 (this coin). Near VF, rough dark brown surfaces. Very rare and elusive type, with the details mostly visible. Better than the Zodiac Wheel type we sold in CNG 102 (2016), lot 768, which realized $7,000 on the hammer. ($5000) Ex M&M Numismatics, Ltd. I (7 December 1997), lot 296; Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 157; John Work Garrett Collection (Part III, Numismatic Fine Arts/Bank Leu, 29 March 1985), lot 484k (part of).

The Great Sothic Cycle was a calendrical cycle based on the heliacal rising in July of the star Sirius (known to the Greeks as Sothis) and lasting approximately 1460 years. According to ancient Egyptian mythology, in a Golden Age, the beginning of the flooding of the Nile coincided exactly with the rising of Sirius, which was reckoned as the New Year. Only once every 1460 years did Sirius rise at exactly the same time.

Thus, the coincidence of this along with the concurrent beginning of the flooding of the Nile gave the event major cosmological significance by heralding not just the beginning of a new year, but the beginning of a new eon. This event also was thought to herald the appearance of the phoenix, a mythological bird which was reborn every 500 to 1000 years out of its own ashes. According to one version of the myth, each new phoenix embalmed its old ashes in an egg of myrrh, which it then deposited in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis. So important was the advent of the new Great Sothic Cycle, both to the realignment of the heavens and its signaling of the annual flooding of the Nile, that the Egyptians celebrated it in a five-day festival, which emphasized the important cosmological significance.

In the third year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (AD 139/40), a new Great Sothic Cycle began. To mark this event, the mint of Alexandria struck an extensive series of coinage, especially in large bronze drachms, each related in some astrological way to the reordering of the heavens during the advent of the new Great Sothic Cycle. This celebration would continue throughout Pius’ reign, with an immense output of coinage during the eighth year of his reign in Egypt, which included this coin type, part of the Zodiac series.

Jupiter in Pisces

125.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (37mm, 20.69 g, 11h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). AVT K T AIΛ A∆[P] ANTωNINOC ЄB (sic) ЄVC, laureate head right / Jupiter in Pisces – Bust right of Zeus (Jupiter), wearing taenia and draped on left shoulder, transverse scepter across right shoulder; star of eight rays before (faint); fish right and fish left below; [L]-H (date) to either side. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2981; K&G 35.260; Emmett 1692.8; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 150 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with traces of green, twice holed in antiquity – which does not affect any significant part of the design. Rare, one of the better types in the Alexandrian Zodiac series. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 178.

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Mars in Scorpio

126.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 21.87 g, 11h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTω[NINOC] CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / Mars in Scorpio – Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, head left, of Ares (Mars); before, star of eight rays; to either side, L H (date); beneath all, scorpion left. Köln 1500; Dattari (Savio) 2972; K&G 35.264 corr. (incorrect obv. legend given, illustrated example is Dattari 2971); Emmett 1460.8 (R4 – rev. of this coin illustrated on p. 74A); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 147 (this coin). VF, attractive brown and dark green patina. Rare.

Exceptional surfaces and comparable to the specimen we sold in Triton XX in 2017 for $6500 on the hammer. ($5000) Ex Numismatic Fine Arts Fall Mail Bid Sale (18 October 1990), lot 2400.

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Moon in Cancer

127.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 26.33 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄYC, laureate head right / Moon in Cancer – Draped and diademed bust of Selene (Moon) right; star of eight rays before, crescent moon below, crab beneath all; L–H (date) to either side. Köln 1494; Dattari (Savio) 2964; K&G 35.270; Emmett 1681.8 (rev. of this coin illustrated on p. 74A); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 144 (this coin).

Good VF, lovely dark brown patina with traces of green. Rare. As nice as the specimen that appeared in Triton XVIII (2015), which is the only other example of comparable quality to appear since 2000. ($5000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 159; John Work Garrett Collection (Part I, Numismatic Fine Arts/Bank Leu, 16 May 1984), lot 795; Frederick S. Knobloch Collection (Stack’s, 10 June 1970), lot 565.

An enormous crab came to the aid of the Lernaean Hydra in its battle with Herakles by nipping Herakles’ foot with a claw. In reward for the crab’s service, Hera set its image among the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

70

Saturn in Capricorn

128.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 26.55 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). A[VT] K T AIΛ A∆P ANTω[NЄ]INOC CЄB ЄYC, laureate head right / Saturn in Capricorn – Capricorn seated right; above, veiled and draped bust of Kronos (Saturn) right with solar disk atop head, falx (sickle) behind shoulder; star of eight rays to right; L H (date) below. Köln 1504 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 2977; K&G 35.273; Emmett 1598.8 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 148 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with patches of green, minor roughness. Very rare. Only two inferior specimens have been sold at auction since 2000. ($5000) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), 24 September 1980.

71

Saturn in Aquarius

129.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 28.73 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC C ЄB ЄYC, laureate head right / Saturn in Aquarius (day house) – Veiled and draped bust of Kronos left with solar disk atop head, falx (sickle) behind shoulder; star of eight rays to left; below, youth swimming left, looking back over his shoulder, wearing chlamys and holding an inverted amphora with both hands; L H (date) below. Köln 1506 var. (without falx); Dattari (Savio) 2979 & 8836; K&G 35.274; Emmett 1596.8 (rev. of this coin illustrated on p. 74A); Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), Pl. XXVIII (this coin’s reverse illustrated); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 149 (this coin). Good VF, beautiful dark brown patina with smooth surfaces. Very rare. Comparable to the two specimens that we have recently sold (Triton XX, lot 379 & CNG 88, lot 1095).

Whereas the coin in CNG 88 is technically a higher grade, this coin has superior surfaces. ($7500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 174; William B. Porter Collection; Carl W.A. Carlson Collection; Col. James W. Curtis Collection.

A wonderful coin that Giovanni describes as “Affascinante!” (Charming!) in his book.

72

Sun in Leo

130.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.56 g, 12h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANT[ω]NINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / Sun in Leo – Lion leaping left; above, radiate and draped bust of Helios (Sun) left and eight-rayed star; L H (date) below. Köln 1498 var. (obv. bust type); Dattari (Savio) 2966; K&G 35.276; Emmett 1531.8 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 146 (this coin). Good VF, dark green and reddish brown patina. Very rare with the reverse type left, as indicated by Emmett’s R5 rating. None in auctions since 2000, and this variant missing from most major collections. ($2000) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), 27 March 1980.

73

Venus in Taurus

131.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.87 g, 11h). Zodiac series. Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). [A]VT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINO[C CЄB ЄVC], laureate head right / Venus in Taurus (night house) – Diademed and draped bust of Aphrodite (Venus) left; star of eight rays before her; below, bull butting left; [L H (date) in exergue]. Köln 1492; Dattari (Savio) 2960; K&G 35.280; Emmett 1450.8; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 143 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with areas of green and red, some roughness. Rare. Exceptional, basically as struck with some encrustation. ($3000) Ex Adolph Hess AG 251 (7 May 1981), lot 163.

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132.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Obol (19mm, 5.12 g, 1h). Dated RY 8 (AD 144/145). [AVT K] T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC, laureate head right / Downward dolphin entwined around upward trident; L H (date) across field. Köln 1470; Dattari (Savio) 8974; K&G 35.293; Emmett 1767.8 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 133 (this coin). EF, dark green patina. Very rare type for Pius as an obol, and essentially as struck for the issue. ($500) Ex Frank Sternberg VII (24 November 1977), lot 655.

133.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 22.88 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 146/147). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / Isis Pharia sailing right, holding a sistrum with her right hand and a billowing sail with both of her hands; L ΔЄKA TOV (date) around. Köln 1550; Dattari (Savio) 2668; K&G 35.359; Emmett 1590.10; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 121 (this coin). EF, dark brown to black patina, minor roughness. Well centered and struck, which is unusual for this popular type. ($1500) Ex Garth R. Drewry Collection (Triton VIII, 11 January 2005), lot 807.

The sistrum is present in Isis’ right hand on this specimen, partially obscured by the thick patina.

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134.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 24.06 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 147/148). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNЄINOC CЄB ЄYC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis enthroned right, crowned with horns and disk, suckling the infant Harpokrates, who is crowned with skhent and holding lotus bud; L ЄNΔЄK ATOV (date) around. Köln 1579 var. (without L at beginning of date); Dattari (Savio) 8536-7; K&G 35.405; Emmett 1585.11; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 122 (this coin). Good VF, brick red and brown patina, minor roughness. Rare type for this regnal year, and in exceptional condition. ($1000) Ex Group CEM Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 88, 14 September 2011), lot 1097.

Following Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the “goddess of a thousand names” became one of the Mediterranean’s principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpokrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.

135.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Diobol (23mm, 9.10 g, 12h). Dated RY 12 (AD 148/149). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINO C, laureate head right / Draped bust of Ammon right, wearing solar disk; L ΔωΔЄ KATOV (date) around. Köln 1597; Dattari (Savio) 8809 (this coin); K&G 35.448; Emmett 1764.12 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 132 (this coin).

Near EF, dark brown surfaces. Very rare, a one-year diobol type for Pius. ($1000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, November 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8809.

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136.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 20.73 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 (AD 150/151). AVT K [T] AIΛIΛ (sic) A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄ B ЄVC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left / Eirene standing facing. head left, holding two grain ears with her right hand and a caduceus with her left; L I ∆ (date) across field. Köln 1657 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 8402 (this coin); K&G 35.510; Emmett 1500.14; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 123 (this coin).

Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Rare type, only issued by Pius for three regnal years (2, 14, and 15). ($1500) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG FPL 55 (December 1984), lot 388; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8402.

On the reverse of this lovely drachm, we have a syncretic image of Eirene (Pax or Peace), where she is given the grain ears of Euthenia. It is also interesting to note the celator’s error in the obverse legend, where the letters IΛ are repeated.

137.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (36mm, 25.21 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 151/152). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC C ЄB ЄVC, laureate and draped bust left / Altar of Agathodaimon: tetrastyle façade decorated with facing statue and garlanded entablature set on two-tiered base; pyre of burning pinecones on top; L in exergue, I E (date) to either side.

Köln 1673; Dattari (Savio) 3000 bis (this coin); K&G 35.534; Emmett 1449.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 124 (this coin).

Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Rare type, only issued by Pius for four regnal years (2, 15, 23 and 24). This particular specimen, ex Dattari, is also one of the few known examples with a left-facing bust of Pius. ($1500) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3000 bis.

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138.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (36mm, 31.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 153/154). AVT K [T AIΛ] A∆P ANTωNINOC C ЄB ЄVC, laureate and draped bust left / Sarapis-Agathodaimon erect right on ground line, two grain ears in its coils; L I Z (date) across field. Köln 1721 var. (obv. bust type and placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 8688 (this coin); K&G 35.594 var. (same); Emmett 1678.17; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 120 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Very rare, and exceptional for the type. ($2000) Ex Greenpoint Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 91, 19 September 2012), lot 779; West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1185; Auctiones AG 17 (7 June 1988), lot 411; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8688.

Another syncretic representation of Sarapis, this time combined with the “good serpent” Agathodaimon.

139.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Diobol (24mm, 9.03 g, 11h). Dated RY 17 (AD 153/154). [AVT K] T AIΛI ∆P (sic) ANTωNINOC [CЄB], laureate bust right, slight drapery / Winged caduceus; L I Z (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8878 var. (obv. bust type); K&G 35.623 var. (obv. bust type and legend); Emmett 1739.17 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 131 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare type. ($300) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 406 (25 April 2012), lot 642.

While not a rare type in general, it is rare for Antoninus Pius on a diobol. According to Emmett, he issued it for his regnal years 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18, and Emmett gives all five of these years an R5 rarity rating.

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140.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 26.83 g, 12h). Dated RY 18 (AD 154/155). AY TI AI A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄ B ЄY, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Poseidon standing right, left foot on rock with chlamys draped over his thigh, holding trident with his right hand and a dolphin in his left; L I H (date) across field. Köln 1743-4; Dattari (Savio) 8657-8; K&G 35.655; Emmett 1642.18; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 125 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Rare type, only issued by Pius for four regnal years (5, 16, 18 and 21). Well centered on a nice flan. ($2000) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, November 1974.

A common, iconic reverse type, but in uncommon condition.

141.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 11.27 g, 12h). Dated RY 20 (AD 156/157). ANTωNIN OC CЄB ЄVCЄ B, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left / Antoninus Pius, laureate and togate, seated left on raised platform, holding a scepter with his left hand and extending his right hand toward a male figure standing right, who is handing Pius a crown (or wreath) with his extended right hand, and holding a transverse scepter with his left; L K (date) to upper left. Köln 1770 var. (obv. bust right, second figure to right of platform); Dattari (Savio) 8056 (this coin); K&G 35.696 var. (same); Emmett 1384.20 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 106 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Very rare, especially with only one male figure on the reverse. ($500) Ex Auctiones AG 26 (16 September 1996), lot 432; Giovanni Dattari Collection no. 8056.

While this is a very rare type overall, this particular variety with Pius’ bust left on the obverse and no second figure on the reverse may be unique. The type is connected to the celebration of the emperor’s vicennalia.

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142.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 28.49 g, 12h). Dated RY 20 (AD 156/157). ANTωNIN[OC CЄB] ЄYCЄBHC (sic), laureate and draped bust right / Nilus reclining left on crocodile to right, holding a reed and cornucopia from which emerges a Genius who crowns Nilus with a wreath; the Genius also is holding a reed over his back shoulder; flora in exergue; L K (date) to left. Köln 1784 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 2757 (this coin); K&G 35.717 var. (same); Emmett 1621.20; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 126 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown patina with touches of green. ($1000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2757.

Despite some striking weakness, this is still a highly detailed reverse die, with the flora (Nilotic plant life) in the exergue, and the Genius emerging from the cornucopia holding both a wreath and a reed. It also has the distinction of being one of the few Alexandrian obverse dies to spell out Antoninus’ epithet in full (ЄYCЄBHYC = Eusebius = Pius).

143.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.46 g, 11h). Dated RY 21 (AD 157/158). ANTωNIN OC [C]ЄB ЄVCЄB, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Asklepios standing facing, head right, sacrificing with phiale, held in his right hand, over a garlanded and lighted altar to the left, holding serpent-entwined staff with his left hand; L K A (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2159 (this coin); K&G 35.732; Emmett 1364.21 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 107 (this coin). Choice EF, toned. A rare type, known only for this regnal year, with Asklepios looking right, and this particular variant with Pius’ bust only slightly draped appears to be unique, known only by this coin – the Dattari specimen. ($1000) Ex Münz Zentrum 29 (27 April 1977), lot 152; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2159.

Well centered on an extremely large, almost medallic flan, Giovanni describes this coin as “fior di conio”.

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Isis-Sothis Riding Sirius

144.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 32.15 g, 11h). Dated RY 21 (AD 157/158). AV TI AI A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄB, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Isis-Sothis seated facing, head right, holding a cornucopia with her right hand and a long scepter with her left, riding a dog (Sirius or Sothis) right; the dog is looking back at Isis; below, L KA (date). Köln 1804 var. (obv. bust type); Dattari (Savio) 8580 (this coin); K&G 35.752 var. (same); Emmett 1593.21; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 142 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown surfaces with traces of green and red. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the type. Only one low-grade example sold at auction since 2000 (CNG E-Sale 397, lot 365). ($7500) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8580.

This type appears to be rarer than indicated in Emmett, where it is given an “R1” rating. With CoinArchives listing only the specimen we sold in our Electronic Auction 397 (17 May 2017), lot 365, it is a rare type in the Alexandrian series, which is skewed by the number in institutional collections, hence Emmett’s rating. Of those in private hands, this is certainly one of the finest known.

A fascinating type related to the Great Sothic Cycle that Giovanni discussed in a 1998 article (G. M. Staffieri, “Isis-Demetra-Sothis nella monetazione alessandrina” in Annotazioni Numismatiche, Series II, no. 30 [1998], pp. 693-697).

81

A Unique Depiction of the Barge of Sarapis

145.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (32mm, 21.96 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 (AD 157/158). AY TI AI A∆ (sic) ANTωNINOC C [ЄB ЄY], laureate and draped bust right / Barge of Sarapis: Zeus-Sarapis enthroned left on the middle of a galley left, he is holding a long scepter with his left hand, pointing at Kerberos at his feet with his right hand, on the throneback is Nike crowning him with a wreath; to the left, Demeter standing facing, head right, holding grain ears and a long torch; to the right, Tyche standing facing, head left, holding a cornucopia and rudder; below Tyche, Isis-Euthenia(?) reclining left, wearing a kalathos on her head; L KA (date) in exergue. Köln 1871 var. (uncertain year and without Isis-Euthenia); Dattari (Savio) 2860 var. (same); K&G –; cf. Emmett 1673.21 var. (same); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 127 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare. One of just two known, and by far the finest. The other specimen is in the collection of the American Numismatic Society (1944.100.60880). ($2000) Ex Künker 89 (8 March 2004), lot 1801.

An extremely rare type in general, this variant includes a fourth figure, perhaps Isis-Euthenia, not seen on most. The reverse die detail is amazing, and the date (not quite clear on the ANS specimen) is visible.

In his book, Alexandrian Coins, Keith Emmett writes: “It is likely that this coin-type was based on the Eleusinian mysteries of Demeter.

It represents the symbolic journey of grain (Demeter) from Sarapis’ (Hades) underworld to its return above ground under the guidance of Fortune (Tyche).” As Emmett was writing about the usually seen variety with three deities, he did not mention the fourth deity, Isis-Euthenia, which is seen on the present coin. Isis-Euthenia may have been included by the celator of this particular die as part of this “symbolic journey” and to complete the Greco-Roman-Egyptian tetrad.

Unique Antoninus Pius & Faustina Junior Tetradrachm

146.

Antoninus Pius, with Faustina Junior. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.01 g, 11h). Dated RY 22 (AD 158/159). ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄVCЄ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Antoninus Pius / ΦAVCTINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right of Faustina Junior. Köln –; cf. Dattari (Savio) 8049 (same types, but not dated?); K&G –; Emmett –; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 161 (this coin). Good VF, toned with areas of find patina, some minor porosity. Extremely rare, if not unique, with the undated Dattari specimen (no. 8409) the only other billon tetradrachm depicting Antoninus Pius and his daughter as Augusta. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XVIII (3 December 1991), lot 409 (where it was misdescribed as Faustina Senior).

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147.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 24.79 g, 12h). Dated RY 22 (AD 158/159). TI AIΛ A CVB (sic) ANT[ωNIN]OC CЄ B, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Hermanubis standing facing, head right, holding caduceus with his right hand and long palm frond with left; to left, jackal standing left, head right; [L] B/K (date) across field. Köln 1830 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 2630 var. (same); K&G 35.797 var. (same); Emmett 1568.22; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 128 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces, some roughness. Rare type, only issued by Pius for two regnal years (5 and 22). ($750) Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün 20, Part I (22 May 1997), lot 361.

148.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.74 g, 12h). Dated RY 23 (AD 159/160). TI AI A∆ ANTωNINO C ЄV, laureate and draped bust right / Draped busts vis-à-vis of Sarapis and Isis; Sarapis wearing taenia and ornate kalathos and Isis wearing headdress of two plumes on a solar disk with a horn to either side; L below, K above, and Γ to right (L KΓ). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2377 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XXIII); K&G 35.817; Emmett 1434.23 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 108 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Very rare, with only four inferior specimens appearing on CoinArchives. ($1000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2377.

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Extremely Rare Facing Bust of Sarapis

149.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 20.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 24 (AD 160/161). TI AI [A∆PI] ANTωNINOC [CЄB] EV, laureate and draped bust right / Facing draped bust of Sarapis, wearing an ornate kalathos; star to left and crescent to right of kalathos; K/L ∆ (date) across field. Cf. Köln 1851 (RY 23); cf. Dattari (Savio) 8680 (illegible date); cf. K&G 35.825 (RY 23); Emmett 1649.24 = Niggeler 757 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 129 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red, some roughness. Extremely rare, and one of the great rarities of the Alexandrian series. ($5000) Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün 20, Part I (22 May 1997), lot 364.

This great rarity is one of two known for Pius’ regnal year 24, with the other specimen being the Walter Niggeler coin sold in 1966, which had a left-facing obverse bust of Pius. This unusual depiction of Sarapis facing is from the cult statue at the Serapeum in Alexandria. The type was to be repeated again for regnal years 5 and 16 of Marcus Aurelius (Emmett 2170), and for regnal year 22 of Caracalla (Emmett 2847).

Emmett gives all of these an R5 rarity rating.

The Twelve Labors of Herakles

The First Labor – Herakles and the Nemean Lion

150.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 21.84 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). [AY]T K T AIΛ A∆P ANTω[NINOC ЄYCЄB], laureate head right / Herakles and the Nemean Lion – Herakles standing right, holding the Nemean lion by its neck and jaws with both hands and raising it up into the air, off of the ground, with the lion’s body horizontal; L TЄT APTOV (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; Emmett 1555.4 (R5 = Curtis specimen); Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), Pl. XXVI (reverse type illustrated for RY 4) Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 153 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with traces of green, a few minor pits. Extremely rare type for this regnal year, and difficult to find in any condition. ($2500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 187; John Work Garrett Collection (Part III, Numismatic Fine Arts/Bank Leu, 29 March 1985), lot 445 (part of).

For his first labor, Herakles was to slay the Nemean Lion and bring back its skin. The Nemean Lion, called thus as it had been terrorizing the area around Nemea, had a skin so thick that it was impenetrable to weapons. After making futile attempts to subdue it with his weapons, Herakles cast them aside and wrestled the lion to the ground, eventually killing it by thrusting his arm down its throat and choking it to death. Skinning the beast was no easy task, either. After Herakles spent hours trying unsuccessfully to skin the lion, Athena, in the guise of an old crone, appeared to him, and convinced him to use the creature’s own claws to cut the hide. Thereafter, the hide became the hero’s own impenetrable armor. When Eurystheus saw Herakles wearing his new fearsome outfit, he hid in a large bronze jar, and thenceforth commanded the hero through a herald.

84

The Second Labor – A Non-Canonical Interpretation for the Lernaean Hydra

151.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (31mm, 25.25 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). [AYT K T AI]Λ A∆P AN[TωNINOC CЄB ЄYC], laureate and draped bust right / Herakles and the Lernaean Hydra – Herakles standing left, lion skin over his left shoulder, holding club overhead with his right hand, in his left hand is the right arm-tentacle of the anthropomorphized Lernaean Hydra; L Є (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2598; K&G –; Emmett 1545.5 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 154 (this coin). VF, dark green patina with patches of red, flan a little irregular.

Extremely rare. Emmett lists this types as being struck for three of Pius’ regnal years: 4, 5, and 6. Another variant exists with Herakles standing right, and the Hydra facing left, which was struck for years 8 and 10 (Emmett 1546). ($3000) Ex Paul-Francis Jacquier FPL 29 (Summer 2002), no. 284.

For his second labor, Herakles had to kill the Lernaean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, and the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimaera, and Kerberos. Inhabiting the swamp near Lake Lerna in the Argolid, the creature possessed numerous mortal and one immortal head on its single body; should one head be removed, two more would grow in its place. When Herakles reached the swamp where the Hydra dwelt, he drew it out of its lair near the spring of Amymone. Thereupon, wielding a harvesting sickle, he attempted to decapitate the creature. When this proved unsuccessful, because of the Hydra’s regenerative ability, Herakles enlisted the assistance of his nephew Iolaos, who devised a plan: once Herakles had cut off one of the creature’s heads, Iolaos would cauterize the stump with a burning firebrand. The plan succeeded, and the Hydra was destroyed. Herakles placed its one immortal head under a large rock on the sacred way between Lerna and Elaius and dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood.

On this rare Alexandrian type, Hydra is anthropomorphized as a giantess, which as been interpreted in the past as “the giantess Echidna raising her son Hydra against Herakles in defense.” It remains a mystery as to why the engravers at the Alexandrian mint chose this noncanonical interpretation for the Lernaean Hydra, especially when other provincial mints that struck coins for the various labors used the more traditional representation.

85

The Third Labor – Herakles and the Cerynean Hind – A Masterpiece

152.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.94 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P • ANTωNINOC • ЄYCЄB •, laureate head right / Herakles and the Cerynean Hind – Herakles standing right, grasping the antlers of the Cerynean Hind with both hands and leaning on its back with his left knee; behind, Herakles’ club upright; L TЄ TAPTOV (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8491 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 1547.4 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 151 (this coin). Good VF, lovely dark brown patina with smooth surfaces. Very rare. A masterpiece. Only two far inferior examples have been sold at auction since 2000. ($15,000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8491.

For his third labor, Herakles was required to capture the Cerynean hind, with its brazen hooves and golden horns, alive and bring it from Oenoe to Mycenae. Herakles chased the stag for one full year before it finally tired, and then he captured it – as shown on the coin type. This type was struck at Alexandria for Pius’ regnal years 4, 5, 6, and 10.

86

The Sixth Labor – Herakles and the Stymphalian Birds

153.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.37 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 6 (AD 142/143). [AV]T K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINO[C C]ЄB Є[VC], laureate head right / Herakles and the Stymphalian Birds – Herakles standing right, wearing lion’s skin over his head and down his shoulders, quiver over his right shoulder, drawing arrow back in bow and pointing it slightly upward; before, three of the Stymphalian birds falling from the sky; behind, club and L ς (date). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8479 (same dies); K&G –; Emmett 1543.6 (R5 – rev. of this coin illustrated on p. 74B); Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), pl. XXVI (this coin’s reverse illustrated); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 157 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green.

Extremely rare, and one of the finest known for the type. The only other example sold since 2000 was the coin in Triton V (2002), lot 1777, which sold again in Triton XI (2008), lot 530. Emmett lists this types as being struck for four of Pius’ regnal years: 4, 5, 6, and 10. ($7500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 199; William B. Porter Collection; Carl W.A. Carlson Collection; Col. James W. Curtis Collection.

The Stymphalian Birds were man-eating birds that had claws of brass, sharp metallic feathers they could launch at their victims, and highly toxic dung. Driven to the heavily wooded area around Lake Stymphalia by a pack of wolves, they bred quickly and took over the countryside, destroying local crops and fruit trees. They were also favorites of Ares. To complete this Labor, Athena and Hephaestos assisted Herakles by forging crotala, or large bronze clappers, by which the birds could be frightened into flight; then, Herakles shot them down with his arrows, as depicted on the coin type.

87

The Seventh Labor – Herakles and the Cretan Bull

154.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 25.64 g, 11h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 6 (AD 142/143). AVT K • T • AIΛ A∆P • ANTωNINOC ЄVC ЄB, laureate head right / Herakles and the Cretan Bull – Herakles running right, nude, grasping the head of the Cretan bull, also running right, with both hands and jerking its head backward; behind, upright club covered with lion’s skin; before, ς/L (date). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8501 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 1550.6 (R5 – rev. illustrated on p. 74B); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 160 (this coin). Good VF, attractive dark brown surfaces. Extremely rare, and probably the finest known (illustrated in color on the front cover of the January 1991 issue of The Celator [Vol. 5, No. 1]). Only one example in auction since 2000, which was the example we sold in Triton XI (2008), lot 537. ($7500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 201 (featured on the front cover); Numismatik Lanz 44 (16 May 1988), lot 590; Münzen und Medaillen AG 46 (28 April 1972), lot 206; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8501.

Compelled to capture the Cretan Bull, which had sired the Minotaur, as his seventh Labor, Herakles sailed to Crete. There, Minos the king of Crete, gave the hero permission to take the bull away, as it had been causing destruction on the island. Herakles strangled the bull with his bare hands, and shipped it back to Athens. Although Eurystheus wished to sacrifice the bull to Hera, the goddess refused the sacrifice because it reflected glory on her sworn enemy. The bull was released and wandered into the town of Marathon, where it became known as the Marathonian Bull.

88

The Eighth Labor – Herakles and the Mares of Diomedes

155.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 22.62 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 6 (AD 142/143). [AVT K] T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNIN[OC CЄB ЄVC], laureate head right / Herakles and the Mares of Diomedes – Herakles standing right, nude but for lion’s skin over his left shoulder and billowing out behind him, holding the mane of one of Diomedes’ mares with his left hand and preparing to strike it with his club held with his right hand; a fallen mare behind him to the left; Diomedes laying prostrate to the right before him on the ground; L ς (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8505 (same dies); K&G –; Emmett 1553.6 (this regnal year not listed in his chart in error, as the reverse of this coin is illustrated on p. 74B); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 159 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare, and one of the finest known for the type. Emmett lists this types as being struck for just one of Pius’ regnal years, 10, but as noted above, he should have listed it for RY 6 also. Another variant exists with the scene reversed, with Herakles standing left (Emmett 1552), which is known for years 5 and 6. ($7500) Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 731; Walter Niggeler Collection (Part 2, Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 21 October 1966), lot 736 (CNG’s notated copy of this sale lists M. Ratto as the buyer).

The four mares of the giant Diomedes, king of the Bistones in Thrace, had a nightmarish taste for human flesh. It was Herakles’ task to steal them, and he set about doing so with a cortege including the Lokrian youth Abderos, a beloved of the hero, who in the midst of the story is eaten by the horses. Herakles, according to some renderings, was so distraught that he fed Diomedes to his own mares in revenge. The Thracian town of Abdera was founded nearby Abderos’ grave.

89

The Ninth Labor – The Golden Girdle of Hippolyte

156.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 23.67 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). [AVT] K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Herakles and Hippolyte’s Girdle – Herakles standing right, nude but for lion’s skin draped over his left shoulder, holding club with left hand over his left shoulder and with right hand he seizes the “Golden Girdle” from the prostrate Hippolyte on her fallen horse which lies left; to upper right, L Є (date). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2616 (this coin); K&G 35.144; Emmett 1540.5 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 156 (this coin). VF, attractive brown surfaces. Extremely rare, and one of the finest known for the type. Emmett lists this types as being struck for three of Pius’ regnal years: 5, 6, and 10. ($7500) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2616.

At the request of Admete, Eurystheus’ daughter, Herakles as his Ninth Labor went to seize the golden girdle of Hippolyte, a garment that gave power and supremacy to the wearer. The daughter of Otrera and the god Ares, Hippolyte was the queen of the Amazons, an all female race who lived near the slopes of the Caucasus. To carry off this Labor, Herakles organized an expedition, which included the Athenian hero Theseus. Upon the heroes’ arrival, the Amazon women greeted them warmly, while Hippolyte offered the girdle as a gift. Hera, on hearing this, took the form of an Amazon, spreading a rumor that Herakles had come to steal away their queen, and take her back with him to Greece.

The female warriors, in protection of their queen, began fighting the heroes. In the melée that followed, Herakles slew Hippolyte, thinking she had betrayed him. Winning the battle, Herakles headed back for Mycenae. On the way, he saved the life of Hesione, daughter of Laomedon, king of Troy. Laomedon, however, refused to reward the hero for his service. In retribution, Herakles slew the king and all his sons, save the youngest, Podarces, who later became known as Priam.

90

The Tenth Labor – Herakles and the Cattle of Geryon

157.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 28.84 g, 1h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). [AV]T K T AIΛ A∆P • ANTωNI[NOC ЄYCЄB], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Herakles and the Cattle of Geryon – Herakles standing left, holding club and lion’s skin with his left arm; two charging bulls to left and Herakles grasping a horn of the closest; below, the dead body of Geryon prostrate to left; L ∆ (date) across field. Köln 1350 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 2619 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XV); K&G 35.78; Emmett 1542.4 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 152 (this coin). VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green and red. Very rare, and superior to the three other examples to appear at auction since 2000. ($7500) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); John Work Garrett Collection (Part I, Numismatic Fine Arts/Bank Leu, 16 May 1984), lot 800; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2619.

For his tenth labor, Herakles was required to travel to Erytheia to capture the Cattle of Geryon. En route, while crossing the Libyan Desert, he became so frustrated at the heat that he shot an arrow at Helios. Admiring the hero’s courage, Helios gave him the golden cup, which Helios used to sail nightly across the Ocean from west to east, and Herakles used it to help him reach Erytheia. Upon arriving there, Hercules was confronted by the two-headed watchdog, Orthros, and the herdsman Eurytion, each of whom he killed with his club. Hearing what was happening, Geryon, armed with three shields, three spears, and wearing three helmets, pursued Herakles to the River Anthemus. Once there, Herakles shot Geryon dead with an arrow he had poisoned with the blood of the Lernaean Hydra. To annoy Herakles as he drove the cattle back to Eurystheus, Hera sent a gadfly to scatter the herd by biting them. After a year’s labor, Herakles recovered the herd, but was further hindered by a flood, also caused by the goddess. Herakles eventually returned to Tiryns, and Eurystheus sacrificed the cattle to Hera.

91

The Eleventh Labor – The Apples of the Hesperides

158.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.51 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 10 (AD 146/147). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNЄINOC C ЄB ЄVC, laureate head right / Herakles and the Apples of the Hesperides – Herakles standing right, lion’s skin and club over his left shoulder, holding club with his left hand and reaching with his right hand for the Apples of the Hesperides hanging from branch of tree to right; the serpent Ladon coiled around the tree’s trunk; L ΔЄKA TOV (date) around. Köln 1545; Dattari (Savio) 2604 & 8495-6; K&G 35.354; Emmett 1554.10; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 158 (this coin). VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green and red, just a bit of reverse roughness but not obscuring the detail. Rare. Emmett lists this types as being struck for three of Pius’ regnal years: 5, 6, and 10. ($4000) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 599.

Because he had been assisted in completing some of his earlier tasks, Herakles was compelled to undergo two more labors. The first of these was to steal the Apples of the Hesperides, nymphs who lived in a grove at the far western edge of the world. Herakles tricked the Titan Atlas, whose task it was to hold up the heavens, to retrieve the apples in return for holding up the heavens while he did so. Having accomplished the task, Atlas was reticent to give up his freedom, and told Herakles that he would take back the apples to Mycenae. Once again, Herakles tricked the Titan, requesting that Atlas hold the heavens, while Herakles adjusted his cloak to be more comfortable.

92

The Twelfth Labor – The Capture of Kerberos

159.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 22.27 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P AN[TωNINOC] ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Herakles Capturing Kerberos – Herakles advancing right, head left, holding club with his left hand over his shoulder, holding rope with his right hand and dragging Kerberos behind him out of the cave portal to Hades; before, L/Є (date). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 8499 (this coin, obv. rubbing incorrect in DS); K&G –; Emmett 1557.5 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 155 (this coin). Good VF, brown surfaces with traces of green. Extremely rare, and one of the finest known for the type. Emmett lists this types as being struck for three of Pius’ regnal years: 5, 6, and 10. Another variant exists with the scene reversed, with Herakles standing left (Emmett 1558.4), which is known only from the Wetterstrom specimen (CNA XIII, lot 211). ($7500) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8499.

For his twelfth and final labor, Herakles was sent to the underworld to capture Kerberos. In order to complete this most difficult task, Herakles was initiated in the Eleusinian Mysteries so that he could learn how to enter and exit the underworld alive, as well as absolve himself of his past crime of killing the Centaurs in his fourth Labor. Finding the entrance to the underworld, he again enlisted the assistance of Athena, while Hermes, the conveyor of souls, guided him along. While there, Herakles was able to free Theseus, who had been imprisoned by Hades for attempting to kidnap Persephone, but could not do the same for Theseus’ accomplice, Pirithous. Herakles sought the permission of Hades and Persephone to take Kerberos. The gods assented on condition that Herakles did not harm the creature in any way. Wrestling Kerberos into submission, he brought it to the upper world through an entrance in the Peloponnese. When he returned with Kerberos to the palace, Eurystheus was so afraid of the fearsome beast that he jumped into a large storage jar to hide (a common theme throughout the labors, always depicting King Eurystheus as a coward). With this, Herakles’ punishment was complete, and he was now freed of his guilt.

93

Herakles and the Centaur Pholos

160.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 25.61 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 142/143). [AV]T K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄB Є[VC], laureate head right / Herakles and the Centaur Pholos: Herakles seated slightly right upon a rock that is covered with his lion’s skin, his club leans against the rock and he is holding a lyre with his left hand; with his right hand, Herakles is grasping the right arm of the Centaur Pholos, who is standing right, forepart only, clad in goat’s skin; to the right, an attendant facing, head left, drawing wine from a crater placed upon a rock; above, a tree branch and ς (date); [L] in exergue.

Köln 1428 (same rev. die); Dattari (Savio) 8507 (this coin); K&G 35.192 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 1564.6 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 140 (this coin). VF, dark brown and red patina with traces of green, some smoothing. Extremely rare.

This coin, sold twice in the last thirty years, may be the only specimen in private hands. Emmett lists the type as being struck for three of Pius’ regnal years: 5, 6, and 24. And for all three years, he assigns it an R5 rarity rating. ($7500) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 384 (2 November 2005), lot 913; Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 215; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8507.

Herakles, on his way to capture the Erymanthian boar, was entertained by the Centaur Pholos, who offered Herakles wine from the centaur’s communal wine jar. This angered the other centaurs and they attacked Herakles while Pholos hid in terror. In Herakles’ attempt to defeat the centaurs, an arrow inadvertently struck the Centaur Chiron – Herakles’ old friend and tutor. Herakles tried to help Chiron, but to no avail as the wound was incurable. The Alexandrian coin type portrays Herakles, holding a lyre, and clasping the arm of Pholos as the two are conversing; to the right, an attendant is drawing wine from the communal jar.

94

Mythological & Pictorial Types The Judgment of Paris

161.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 26.34 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AVTOKPA KAIC A∆P ANTωNINOC L Є (date), bare head right / The Judgment of Paris – Raised platform upon which from left to right: Aphrodite standing facing, head left; Hera standing facing, holding long scepter and looking right; Athena standing facing, head left, holding spear with her left hand and balancing shield on platform with her right (all goddesses wearing their usual attire); to their left on the ground: Hermes standing facing, head left, looking at Paris, left hand raised and pointed at Aphrodite; to his left, Paris standing slightly right; above, L Є (date) and Eros flying right (not visible on this specimen); various animals before platform. Köln 1406 var. (obv. bust type and legend, same rev. die); Dattari (Savio) 2998; K&G 35.154; Emmett 1632.5 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 139 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare. None in CoinArchives. This coin shares the same dies with the Wetterstrom specimen (CNA XIII, lot 220). ($15,000) Ex Gilbert Steinberg Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica/Spink Taisei Numismatics, Zürich, 16 November 1994), lot 841; Walter Niggeler Collection (Part 2, Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 21 October 1966), lot 729; Münzen und Medaillen AG XIII (17 June 1954), lot 948.

Another great rarity from the Alexandrian mythological type series, and the only example to be sold since the Wetterstrom example in 1990, which was of comparable quality and from the same pair of dies. Also, this coin uses the extremely rare dated obverse die with L Є appearing at the end of the obverse legend.

The Judgment of Paris, a mythical “beauty contest” of sorts, serves as a prelude to the Trojan War. Eris, goddess of discord, was excluded from a feast thrown by Zeus, but the scorned deity arrived uninvited with a golden apple inscribed “for the fairest.” Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each claimed the apple, and Zeus was asked to award it to the most beautiful. Zeus, wishing to avoid this uncomfortable situation, appointed the mortal Paris as judge, as the shepherd and prince of Troy had a reputation for his fairness. Each goddess attempted to sway Paris with a bribe in order to win the apple: Athena offered him incredible skill in battle, Hera offered him an immense kingdom, and Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta, the wife of the Greek king Menelaus. Paris could not refuse Aphrodite’s offer, setting in motion the war between the Greeks and Trojans.

95

The Rape of Persephone

162.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 19.36 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). [AVT K T AIΛ] A∆P AN[TωNINOC ЄVCЄB], laureate head right / The Rape of Persephone – Hades standing slightly right, head left, in quadriga right, holding the limp body of Persephone with his right hand and the reigns of the quadriga with his left; above, Eros flying right, L/Є (date) and rocks designating the cave entrance to the underworld. Köln 1410 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 8851 (same dies–this coin?); K&G 35.158; Emmett 1525.5 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 138 (this coin). Fine, rough brown surfaces. Extremely rare. Dattari only owned one example of this type (no. 8851), and this coin closely matches the pencil rubbings in the Dattari-Savio plates, and indeed, may be the same specimen. ($1000) Ex Bonhams/V.C. Vecchi & Sons 4 (4 December 1980), lot 439.

Another great rarity from the Alexandrian mythological type series, and the first to be sold since the Wetterstrom example in 1990, which was only slightly better.

Hades fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, and asked Zeus for permission to marry her. Fearing to offend his eldest brother by a downright refusal, but also knowing that Demeter would not forgive him if Persephone were committed to the underworld, Zeus diplomatically answered that he could neither give nor withhold his consent. This act emboldened Hades to abduct Persephone as she was picking flowers in a meadow and carry her away in his horse-drawn chariot to the underworld.

The Reaper

163.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 28.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). [AYT K T A]IΛ A∆P ANTωNINO[C CЄB ЄYC], laureate head right / Bearded man (Reaper) standing right, wearing short kirtle (tunic), pileos, and goat’s skin(?) over his left shoulder, with his right hand he cuts three grain stalks with a sickle, holding them with his left; [L] Є to left. Köln 1417 var. (reaper not wearing pileos, goat’s skin, and slightly hunched over); Dattari (Savio) 2989 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XXVI); K&G 35.165 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 1643.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 136 (this coin). Good VF, attractive dark brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare and exceptional. ($7500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 221; Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Colllection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988), lot 273; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 2989.

There are two varieties for this type – one depicting the reaper wearing a pileos and goat’s skin over his shoulder, and the other without these features and slightly hunched over as he cuts the grain ears. While both varieties are rare (we have handled two examples of the second type: CNG 76 [2007], lot 1147 and CNG Inventory no. 253505), the first type is definitely the rarer of the two.

This type and the so-called “Ploughman” type (see CNG 85, lot 714) are usually included in the Alexandrian mythological and pictorial coin series. Although they are not mythological in derivation, they may represent their respective constellations or seasons. Perhaps the common “Nilus reclining” types represent the inundation of the Nile, the most important “season” for the ancient Egyptians. This type is only known for Pius’ regnal year 5.

96

Achilles and the Centaur Chiron

164.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.83 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AYT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC CЄB ЄYC, laureate head right / Achilles and the Centaur Chiron – The Centaur Chiron standing right, left foreleg raised, head left with his upper human torso turned facing, holding a helmet in his left hand, his right arm leading the young Achilles; Achilles is standing right, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left; L Є (date) in exergue.

Köln 1873 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 2505 & 8369; K&G –; Emmett 1485.5 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 135 (this coin). VF, lovely dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Wonderful surfaces. Extremely rare, and probably the finest known specimen. ($5000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 218.

One of the great rarities of the Antoninus Pius mythological series from the Alexandria mint, and only the second that this cataloguer can recall being offered for sale: we have now handled this coin twice, and we recently sold a second specimen in our Classical Numismatic Review (Vol. XLII, No. 3, Summer 2017), lot 468723 = Dattari 8370. The present coin was one of the highlights of the 1990 auction of the Wetterstrom collection, realizing $3250 on the hammer. Dattari owned three examples (his nos. 2505, 8369, and 8370), and all three are equally worn.

There are also examples in the Köln (cited above) and Paris collections (Mionnet 1949). Emmett cited two examples: the Wetterstrom coin and possibly an example in the ANS collection (1944.100.60963), but the ANS coin is actually “Hercules with the Centaur Pholos” (cf. Köln 1428).

“The wise and benevolent centaur Chiron, as tutor and guide, was given the custody of the sons of many ancient princes” and heroes (including Hercules). Another such pupil was Achilles, of Trojan War fame, who spent his formative years with Chiron. The reverse type on the present coin depicts Chiron leading the young Achilles, who carries a spear and shield, while Chiron holds his helmet.

97

Orpheus Charming the Animals

165.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 28.63 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Orpheus Charming the Animals – Orpheus seated right on rock, playing lyre, charming numerous wild animals around him; L Є (date) across upper field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2996 var. & 8843-4 var. (arrangement of animals on reverse for 2996, and obverse bust type for 8843-4); K&G –; Emmett 1631.5 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 137 (this coin). VF, brown patina with traces of green, minor roughness and smoothing. Extremely rare.

Only the second we have handled, the first being the Wetterstrom example from CNA XIII (1990). ($5000) Ex David Simpson Collection (Triton V, 15 January 2002), lot 1778; Carlo Fontana Collection (Finarte Casa D’Aste 995, 26 November 1996), lot 940, purchased from Mario Ratto, Milan, 1957.

Orpheus, the son of the Thracian king Oiagros and the Muse Kalliope, was a master poet, proficient on the lyre, and possessing a melodious voice surpassed by no other mortal. He mesmerized gods and mortals alike with his song. His musical powers were so intense that the birds and animals, even trees and stones, were charmed and drew near to hear his voice. Orpheus married the nymph Eurydike, but their life together was cut short by the bite of a snake that sent Eurydike from the land of the living to the shadowy kingdom of the underworld. Distraught over the death of his beloved, Orpheus descended into the land of shades and made his way to the very throne of Hades and his queen Persephone.

His music was so enticing that all the inhabitants of the underworld were entranced, and the King of Darkness granted Orpheus’ request to return Eurydike to the light of day provided he dare not look back at her until they both had cleared the gates of Hades. The temptation was too great, though, and Orpheus turned to gaze upon Eurydike for the last time before her spirit sped back to the underworld. Totally disheartened by his second loss, Orpheus shunned all women and sang his songs in the company of Thracian men, who became distracted from their womenfolk. Outraged, the Thracian women ultimately fell on Orpheus and killed him. Severing his head from his body, they cast it into the Hebrus River, where it floated on his lyre, still singing, out to sea. Finally, Orpheus’ head drifted to Lesbos, where it was enshrined by the nymphs.

98

Lykurgos and the Vines of Dionysos

166.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 22.66 g, 11h). Dated RY 18 (AD 154/155). [AVT K T A]IΛ A∆P ANT[ωNINOC CЄB ЄVC], laureate bust right, slight drapery / Lykurgos and the Vines of Dionysos – King Lykurgos right, his left knee kneeling on a vine stump, his arms pulled behind him by the vines, his head tilted up and his axe(?) between his legs; [L I H] date across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2995 & 8841-2 (all with the same rev. die); K&G 35.650; Emmett 1603.18 (R5); BMC 1055-6 (described as “Herakles cutting down the vines of Syleus,” but most likely this type); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 141 (this coin). VF, rough dark brown to black surfaces with traces of green. Extremely rare. The only other specimen sold that this cataloguer can recall was in our Triton XX auction (1 December 1998), lot 658, which was struck from the same pair of dies as this coin. ($3000) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 596 (where it was misidentified as “Hercules and the Mares of Diomedes”).

A rather obscure myth, in one version King Lykurgos is credited with defeating the army of Dionysos when the god invaded Thrace. Dionysos escaped by plunging into the sea and sought refuge in Thetis’ grotto. Dionysos’ mother, Rhea, upset by her son’s misfortune, drove Lykurgos mad and then helped her son’s army to escape. Lykurgos, in his madness, killed his own son Dryas with an axe (believing he was cutting down a vine, hence the coin type), and then pruned the corpse of its nose, ears, fingers, and toes. Dionysos, returning from the sea, told the people of Thrace that Lykurgos would have to be killed or the land would remain barren as punishment for Lykurgos’ crime. King Lykurgos was then killed by being drawn and quartered by wild horses.

Perseus and Andromeda

167.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (35mm, 22.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 24 (AD 160/161). TI AI A∆PIA ANTωNINOC C ЄB EV, laureate and draped bust right / Perseus and Andromeda – Perseus advancing right, wearing Phrygian cap and chlamys, holding a harpa with his left hand over his left shoulder, extending his right hand to Andromeda; Andromeda is stepping down from a rock base, wearing chiton, and extending her right hand to Perseus, her left hand is held to her breast; between them, ∆/L (date), [K] behind Perseus. Köln 1856; Dattari (Savio) 2990-4 & 8840; K&G 35.828; Emmett 1637.24; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 134 (this coin). VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green, roughness. Very rare.

Emmett lists the type for regnal years 20 and 24 of Pius, but his reference for RY 20 is Dattari 2990, but in the Dattar-Savio plates the ∆ (K∆ = 24) is visible, hence this is a one-year type only. ($5000) Ex David Simpson Collection (Triton V, 15 January 2002), lot 1789; Spink Numismatic Circular Vol. XCII, No. 10 (December 1984), lot 7941.

Perseus, the slayer of Medusa, was returning from this task, when he caught sight of a naked woman chained to a sea-cliff, and instantly fell in love with her. This was the princess Andromeda, daughter of King Kepheus of Joppa and Kassiopeia. Kassiopeia had boasted that both she and Andromeda were more beautiful than the Nereids, who then complained about this insult to their protector, Poseidon. Poseidon sent a flood and a female sea-monster to devastate Philistia (Palestine) – the home of Kassiopeia and Andromeda.

When the king consulted an oracle, he was told that his only hope was to sacrifice Andromeda to the sea-monster. This was Andromeda’s predictament when Perseus happened upon her. Perseus killed the sea-monster and took Andromeda as his wife, but only after using Medusa’s head to turn Kassiopeia and Kepheus to stone after they broke their bargain with him for saving their daughter. The coin type depicts Perseus helping Andromeda down from the sea-cliff.

99

168.

Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.27 g, 11h). Dated RY 12 of Antoninus Pius (AD 148/149). • M • AVPHΛIC • KAICAP, bare head right / Nilus reclining left on crocodile right, holding a reed with his left hand and a cornucopia from which emerges a Genius with his right hand; the Genius is crowning Nilus with a wreath; Iς above; [L] ΔωΔЄ (date) to left, KATOV below. Köln 1909 var. (position of L on reverse); Dattari (Savio) 3167 var. (same); K&G 37.16; Emmett 1856.12; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 168 (this coin). Near EF, toned with touches of green. A fine style portrait. ($300) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, October 1990.

The Greek numerals “Iς” to the right and slightly above the Genius indicate 16 cubits, the optimal flood level height of the Nile during inundation season.

169.

Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Drachm (32mm, 19.73 g, 12h). Dated RY 12 of Antoninus Pius (AD 148/149). [M AVPH]ΛIC KAICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / Isis enthroned right, crowned with horns and disk, suckling the infant Harpokrates, who is crowned with skhent; all within distyle temple, pediment decorated with horns and disk; ΔωΔЄ (date) to left, [KATOV to right, L in exergue]. Köln 1914 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 9066 (this coin); K&G 37.21 var. (same); Emmett 1888.12 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 170 (this coin). Good VF, dark reddish brown and green patina. Rare. ($1000) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 81 (20 May 2009), lot 879; Bayerische Vereinsbank Münzschätze FPL 11 (April 1976), lot 159; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9066.

Following Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the “goddess of a thousand names” became one of the Mediterranean’s principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpokrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.

170.

Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.86 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 of Antoninus Pius (AD 149/150). M AVPHΛIC • KAICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / Zeus (‘Jupiter Capitolinus’) enthroned left, holding phiale in his extended right hand and scepter with his left; at his feet, eagle standing left, head right, wings closed; L IΓ (date) across upper field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3185 (this coin); K&G 37.31; Emmett 1868.13 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 169 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Very rare, nice metal, and of fine style, probably the finest known for the type. ($300) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, April 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3185.

100

Nilus Reclining with Nilometer

171.

Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 25.34 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 of Antoninus Pius (AD 153/154). M AVPHΛIOC KA ICAP, bareheaded and draped bust right / Nilus reclining left, holding a reed with his right hand and a cornucopia with his left; before, stone Nilometer in the form of a stele being inscribed by a Genius; below, crocodile to right and flora; above, L I Z (date). Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9056 (this coin); K&G 37.74 (this coin cited); Emmett 1892.17 (R5) = Hunterian 511(same dies); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 171 (this coin). EF, wonderful dark brown surfaces with touches of green. Extremely rare, and the finest of the two known specimens, and the only example in private hands. ($3000) Ex Auctiones AG 7 (7 June 1977), lot 450; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9056.

The Nilometer, in this case a stone stele that measured the inundation of the Nile, was a prominent landmark in Egyptian culture. It was vital as a calendar to mark the passing of the seasons and for assessing the fertility of the land, which depended on the annual Nile flood. It occurs frequently in Egyptian art, surrounded by attendants and the fruits of the fertile river.

101

172.

Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Hemidrachm (30mm, 11.27 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 of Antoninus Pius (AD 153/154). M AV[P]HΛIOC KA [IC]AP, bareheaded and draped bust right / Agathodaimon serpent erect right, wearing skhent, with a caduceus in its coils and facing the Uraeus serpent erect left, wearing horns and disc, with a sistrum in its coils; L I Z (date) across field. Köln 1929; Dattari (Savio) 3220 & 12299; K&G 37.75; Emmett 1904.17 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 172 (this coin). Good VF, brown and tan surfaces with touches of red, some roughness. Very rare. Only two hemidrachms of Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, have been sold at auction since 2000, and both had the Pharos of Alexandria reverse type. ($300) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 39 (18 September 1996), lot 1067.

173.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.74 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 162/163). Μ AVΡΗΛΙΟC ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC C Є, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Ares (Mars) standing left, holding spear with his right hand and parazonium with left, right foot on cuirass; shield before; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9156 (this coin); K&G 37.145 var. (obv. bust type); Emmett 2047.3 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 173 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Very rare, nice metal, and well centered on a large flan. ($750) Ex Münz Zentrum 29 (27 April 1977), lot 166; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9156.

Giovanni notes in his book that the elegant figure of Ares on the reverse is related to the first victories of the Roman army engaged in the war in Syria, Armenia, and Parthia to safeguard the eastern borders of the Empire.

174.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.64 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 162/163). Μ AVΡΗΛΙΟC ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MONH TA, Moneta standing facing, head left, holding scales with her right hand and pertica (measuring rod) with her left; below the scales, two coin purses; to right, Γ/L (date). Köln 2005 var. (obv. bust type and legend); Dattari (Savio) 9165 (same dies); K&G 37.151; Emmett 2066.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 174 (this coin). EF, attractive find patina with touches of green. Very rare, nice metal, and of fine style. ($750) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions V, 9 December 1988), lot 189.

102

Superb Marcus Aurelius Drachm Ex Beretta & Dattari Collections

175.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ Drachm (34mm, 27.07 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 162/163). Μ AVΡΗΛΙΟC ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC CЄ, laureate bust right, slight drapery / ЄYΘH NIA, Euthenia standing facing, head left, holding two grain ears with her right hand and cornucopia with her left; L Γ (date) across lower field. Köln 2009-10 var. (obv. bust type and legend); Dattari (Savio) 3451 (this coin – obverse illustrated on pl. III and reverse illustrated on pl. XIII); K&G 37.158; Emmett 2129.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 176 (this coin). Choice EF, attractive dark brown patina with touches of green. Exceptional, and a two-year type for Marcus Aurelius (regnal years 2 and 3). ($3000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1976. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3451.

A superb coin that Dattari used to illustrate both the obverse and reverse in his original 1901 catalog.

103

176.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.60 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 163/164). Μ AVΡΗΛ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC CЄ, laureate bust right, wearing aegis / Radiate and draped bust of Sarapis-Pantheos right, wearing kalathos and horn of Ammon; before, serpent staff of Asklepios; L ∆ (date) across field. Köln 2025 var. (obv. bust type and legend); Dattari (Savio) 3383 var. (same); K&G 37.198 var. (same); Emmett 2081.4 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 175 (this coin). VF, toned, some porosity. Very rare. A one-year type for Marcus Aurelius. ($300) Ex Historical Coin Review (Victor England) Vol. XIII, No. 7 (September 1988), no. 30.

Sarapis was a syncretic god, combining Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian religious beliefs. His name is of Egyptian origin and derives from a synthesis of Ausar (Greek, Osiris), the Egyptian god of the Underworld, and Hapi (Greek, Apis), a manifestation of the god Ptah. Under the Ptolemies, Sarapis became the chief tutelary god and the subject of a royally-sponsored cult, whose emphasis on an afterlife made the worship of Sarapis one of the more popular mystery cults. His immense popularity soon extended to his creation as Sarapis-Pantheos, a hybrid deity incorporating other divine elements. In the case of the present specimen from the Staffieri collection, he is depicted with the radiate crown of Helios, his own kalathos, the ram’s horn of Ammon, and the serpent staff of Asklepios.

Extremely Rare Faustina Junior Hemidrachm

177.

Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Æ Hemidrachm (29mm, 11.35 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 of Antoninus Pius (AD 147/148). ΦAVCTINA CЄB ЄVCЄB CЄB ΘVΓ, draped bust right, her hair tied up in a bun with a double strand of pearls / Eusebeia standing facing, head left, holding a wreath (or diadem) with her right hand and a scepter and a fold of her chiton with her left; L ЄNΔЄ KATOV (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9117 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 2017.11 (R5 = this coin cited); SNG Milano 1334; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 179 (this coin). EF, lovely dark brown patina with traces of green. Extremely rare, with only two specimens known. Hemidrachms of Faustina Junior are all extremely rare, with only one low grade specimen of any reverse type appearing at auction since 2000 (Noble 96, lot 5110). ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, October 1973. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9117.

104

178.

Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.73 g, 12h). Dated RY 12 of Antoninus Pius (AD 148/149). ΦAVCTINA CЄBACTH •, draped bust right, her hair tied up in a bun with a single strand of pearls / Dikaiosyne enthroned left, holding scales with her right hand and a cornucopia with her left; ΔωΔЄ K ATOV (date) around, L in exergue.

Köln 1944; Dattari (Savio) 3238 (this coin); K&G 38.37; Emmett 1938.12; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 177 (this coin).

Near EF, toned. Fine style with nice metal. ($500) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, May 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3238.

179.

Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.71 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 of Antoninus Pius (AD 150/151). ΦAVCTINA CЄB CЄB ЄVCЄB ΘVΓ, draped bust right, her hair tied up in a bun with a single strand of pearls / Griffin, as Nemesis, seated right with left forepaw on wheel; I∆ (date) to left, L in exergue. Köln 1957 var. (placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 3317 (same dies); K&G 38.62; Emmett 1986.14 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 178 (this coin). EF, dark green and brown patina. Rare. Only two inferior specimens have appeared at auction since 2000. A wonderful large bronze for Faustina Junior, and probably one of the finest known. ($5000) Purchased from Sarti, Varese, June 1988. Ex Sarti Collection (Varese).

While not a rare type in general, it is rare for Faustina Junior. According to Emmett, it was issued for her father’s regnal years 14, 15, and 19, with Emmett assigning rarity ratings of R2 for year 14, and R5 for years 15 and 19.

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180.

Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Æ Diobol (23mm, 7.53 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 162/163). ΦAYCTINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right, her hair tied up in a bun / Eagle standing left, head right, with closed wings; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3638; K&G 38.2; Emmett 2317.3 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 180 (this coin). Good VF, lovely dark brown patina with traces of green. Extremely rare. Just as the hemidrachms, diobols of Faustina Junior are also extremely rare, with only two low grade specimens of any reverse type appearing at auction since 2000 (CNG 91, lot 792 and CNG E-Sale 291, lot 306). ($750) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 360 (27 April 1999), lot 709.

181.

Faustina Junior. Augusta, AD 147-175. Æ Diobol (23mm, 6.71 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 162/163). ΦAYCTINA CЄBACTH, draped bust right, her hair tied up in a bun / Agathodaimon serpent, wearing the skhent crown, on horseback galloping right; L Γ (date) below. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9387; K&G –; Emmett 2313.3 (R5, citing the Dattari coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 181 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with traces of green. Extremely rare, only two specimens known. Just as the hemidrachms, diobols of Faustina Junior are also extremely rare, with only two low grade specimens of any reverse type appearing at auction since 2000 (CNG 91, lot 792 and CNG E-Sale 291, lot 306).

CNG 91, lot 792 (2012) is the same type as this lot, but graded only Fine. ($1000) Ex Heidelberger Münzhandlung Herbert Grün 20, Part I (22 May 1997), lot 395.

Emmett lists this diobol type for two regnal years for Faustina Junior – years 3 and 4. For year 3, he cites the Dattari coin (no. 9387), and for year 4 he cites Milne 2504a, which is in the Ashmolean Museum, but the date is not visible, and Milne was guessing that it is year 4. The type also exists with Agathodaimon on horseback left, Dattari 3637, which is not photographed in the 1901 catalogue of Dattari’s collection, nor the Dattari-Savio plates, and therefore can not be verified. As to the meaning of the reverse type, the horse represents the changing of the seasons, whereas the serpent represents regeneration or the rebirth of the crops. All of Egyptian life was dependent on this cycle.

106

Exceptional Depiction of Moneta

182.

Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Drachm (34mm, 22.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 162/163). Λ AYΡΗΛΙΟC OYHPΟC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / MONHTA, Moneta standing facing, head left, holding scales with her right hand and pertica (measuring rod) with her left; to right, a statue of Hermanubis(?) standing facing, head left, on a garlanded column; Hermanubis is wearing a kalathos, and holding a coin purse with his right hand and an uncertain object with his left; the column is on a low base, which is decorated with a lion leaping right; on the base, next to the foot of the column, three more coin purses; L Γ (date) below scales. Köln 2142 var. (obv. bust type); Dattari (Savio) 9479 (this coin); K&G 39.57; Emmett 2398.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 182 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green.

Extremely rare. Only one other specimen, which graded Near VF and had been cleaned (CNG 63, lot 1101), has appeared in auction since 2000. ($3000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9479.

A fascinating type with the statue on the decorated column and base to the right of Moneta. Emmett does not technically list this reverse type with the additional statue, and therefore his rarity rating is for the generic type.

107

183.

Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Drachm (33mm, 25.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 163/164). [Λ AYΡ]ΗΛΙΟC OYHPΟC CЄB, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Eos advancing left, head right, holding a torch with her right hand and the reins of a horse with her left; the horse is rearing right with its head left; below horse, Hω[C]; above horse, L ∆ (date).

Köln 2153 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 3719 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XII); K&G 39.92 corr. (D. 3719 erroneously listed under 39.93); Emmett 2391.4 (this coin illustrated with commentary on p. 107); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 183 (this coin). Good VF, attractive dark brown surfaces with areas of green. Rare, with only two inferior examples appearing in auction since 2000. ($4000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions V, 9 December 1988), lot 136; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3719.

Eos, known as Aurora to the Romans, was the goddess of the dawn. Here she is seen preparing one of the two horses that drew her biga (“Firebright” or “Daybright”) for her morning journey across the skies.

184.

Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Drachm (33mm, 22.00 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 165/166). Λ AYΡΗ[ΛΙΟC OYHPΟC CЄB], laureate bust left, slight drapery / Pylon (entryway) of an Egyptian temple with a wide door or gate with stairs before it; in the center of the pylon above the gate, two canopic jars; a Canopus of Isis on the right, wearing a crown of horns, solar disk, and feathers; and a Canopus of Osiris on the left, wearing an Atef crown; L ς (date) to either side of pylon.

Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9344 (this coin – listed under Marcus Aurelius); K&G –; Emmett 2372.6 (R2 – citing Milne 2560); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 184 (this coin). Fine, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare, with this coin being the only specimen sold at auction since 2000. ($2000) Ex Numismatik Lanz 138 (26 November 2007), lot 703; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9344.

A wonderful type that depicts two canopic jars above the gate to an Egyptian temple. Any representation of an Egyptian temple, versus the usually seen Greek or Roman style temple, is extremely rare on an Alexandrian coin (see lot 86). In the Dattari (Savio) plates, this coin is listed under Marcus Aurelius, but Numismatik Lanz, Giovanni Staffieri, and the present cataloguer read the first letter of his name as an Λ, not an M.

108

185.

Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Drachm (34mm, 28.99 g, 12h). Dated RY 9 (AD 168/169). Λ AYΡΗΛΙΟC OVHPΟC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Isis enthroned right, crowned with horns and disk, suckling the infant Harpokrates, who is crowned with skhent and holding lotus bud(?); all within distyle temple, pediment decorated with solar disk and uraei; L ЄNA TOV (date) to either side of temple. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3800; K&G 39.200 corr. (obv. bust type); Emmett 2396.9 (R5 – citing Dattari 3800); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 185 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare and exceptional, with none appearing at auction since 2000. ($4000) Ex Dr. Meyer-Coloniensis Collection (Münz Zentrum 64, 15 April 1988), lot 348; Münzen und Medaillen AG 46 (28 April 1972), lot 218; Walter Niggeler Collection (Part 2, Bank Leu/Münzen und Medaillen, 21 October 1966), lot 767 (CNG’s annotated copy of this sale lists M&M as the buyer).

Following Alexander’s conquest of Egypt, the cult of Isis spread across the Mediterranean, with its popularity reaching its zenith in the Roman period, when the “goddess of a thousand names” became one of the Mediterranean’s principal deities. It is generally recognized that the iconography of Isis nursing Harpokrates influenced Christian representations of the Madonna and Child, particularly the Virgo lactans type popular in Medieval Europe.

109

Extremely Rare Diobol of Commodus Ex Wetterstrom, Garrett, and Curtis Collections

186. Commodus. As Caesar, AD 166-177. Æ Diobol (23mm, 7.75 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 176/177). AVTOK • KAIC • Λ • AVΡΗΛΙΟC KOMMO∆OC, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Griffin, as Nemesis, seated left with right forepaw on wheel; L I Z (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3833 & 9537; K&G 41.5 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 2503.17 (R5 – this coin illustrated with commentary on p. 111); Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), Pl. XXXVIII (this coin’s reverse illustrated); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 186 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green. Extremely rare, with only one other inferior example appearing at auction since 2000 (CNG E-Sale 243, lot 293). ($1000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 131; John Work Garrett Collection (Part III, Numismatic Fine Arts/Bank Leu, 29 March 1985), lot 4840 (part of); Col. James W. Curtis Collection.

Commodus issued very little bronze coinage in Alexandria, both as Caesar, and as Augustus. This becomes apparent when Emmett’s charts are consulted, and almost every bronze type for every known regnal year is an R4 or R5.

Magnificent Billon Tetradrachm of Commodus

187. Commodus. AD 177-192. BI Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.47 g, 11h). Dated RY 24 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 183/184).

M ANTωNINOC KOMMO∆OC AVC, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust right of Sarapis, wearing an ornate kalathos; L K ∆ (date) across upper field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3880 (this coin – obverse illustrated on pl. III); K&G 41.54; Emmett 2555.24 (R5 – this coin cited); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 187 (this coin). EF, toned. Extremely rare, with nice metal quality. Exceptional and artistic renderings for both Commodus and Sarapis, with nothing else of this quality appearing on the market since 2000. ($1500) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, September 1973. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3880.

Giovanni speculates in his book that this coin is almost certainly by the hand of a “notable engraver [who] does not seem to have left other traces of his work in Alexandria.”

110

188. Commodus. AD 177-192. BI Tetradrachm (27mm, 11.36 g, 12h). Dated RY 25 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 184/185).

M A KOM ANT CЄB ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Commodus, in priestly attire, standing facing, head left, before bust of Sarapis set right on low cippus; Commodus is sacrificing over lighted altar at his feet; K Є (date) across field, L in exergue. Köln 2218; Dattari (Savio) 3848 var. (obv. legend); K&G 41.63; Emmett 2529.25 (R5 – citing Köln 2218); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 188 (this coin). Good VF, toned with patches of find patina, minor roughness. Extremely rare for this regnal year, as the type is usually seen only for RY 24. Struck on a broad flan. ($300) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 41 (19 March 1997), lot 1294.

189. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Diobol (25mm, 9.01 g, 12h). Dated RY 27 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 186/187). M A KO [ANT]ω CЄB ЄVCЄBHC, laureate head right / Sarapis standing facing, head left, right hand raised in salute, holding scepter with his left; K/L Z (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9652 (this coin); K&G 41.90; Emmett 2617.27 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 191 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green, a bit of roughness. As per our note for the Commodus Caesar diobol, all bronze coinage for him is extremely rare. ($500) Ex Numismatik Lanz 92 (4 June 1999), lot 726; Carlo Fontana Collection (Finarte Casa D’Aste Auction 995, 26 November 1996), lot 987; Ars et Nummus (Giuseppe Nascia – Milano) FPL 1978; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9652.

Only two examples are known for this type: one in the British Museum Collection, no. 1444, and this coin, the finer of the two, and the only specimen in private hands.

111

190. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ Diobol (24mm, 13.76 g, 12h). Dated RY 27 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 186/187). M A KOM ANTω CЄB ЄYCЄB, laureate head right / Agathodaimon serpent erect right, wearing skhent, with a caduceus and grain ear in its coils; L Λ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9666 (this coin); K&G 41.128; Emmett 2579.30 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 192 (this coin). EF, attractive reddish brown patina with traces of green. Extremely rare, with only two known specimens, both originally from the Dattari collection: this coin and Dattari 3954. ($1000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9666.

Keith Emmett also lists this type for Commodus’ regnal year 33, and cites a coin in the collection of the American Numismatic Society (1944.100.61909).

191. Commodus. AD 177-192. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 11.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 29 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 188/189).

M A KOM ANTω CЄB ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Pharos of Alexandria, on left, and corbita under sail right; [L] KΘ (date) in exergue. Köln 2242-3; Dattari (Savio) 3903; K&G 41.113; Emmett 2542.29; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 189 (this coin). Good VF, toned with some silvering and light porosity. A popular type, which until our recent offering of the Hermanubis Collection, this specimen was one of the best known examples. ($500) Ex Clarence & Helen Zaar Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 87, 18 May 2011), lot 910.

192.

Commodus. AD 177-192. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.54 g, 12h). Dated RY 30 of Marcus Aurelius (AD 189/190).

[M A] KOM ANTω CЄB ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Bust of Selene left; crescent moon before, L Λ (date) behind. Köln 2252; Dattari (Savio) 3889; K&G 41.124; Emmett 2558.30; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 190 (this coin). Good VF, attractive find patina with one area of green on the obverse. Exceptional and struck on a broad flan for the issue. ($500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions IV, 21 September 1988), lot 305.

112

193

194

Choice Septimius Severus Tetradrachm Finest of the Two Known 193.

Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.89 g, 1h). Dated RY 6 (AD 197/198). [A]YT K Λ CЄΠ CЄYH ЄY CЄ ΠЄPT CЄB APA A∆I, laureate head right / Sarapis enthroned left, holding a long scepter with his left hand, extending his right hand toward Kerberos, who is seated at his feet; L ς (date) to upper left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3995 (this coin – obverse illustrated on pl. IV); K&G 49.27; Emmett 2687.6 (R5 – this coin cited); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 193 (this coin). Near EF, attractive find patina. Extremely rare, with only two known specimens, both originally from the Dattari collection: this coin and Dattari 9203. This coin is the finer of the two. ($2000) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 638; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3995.

Dynastic Tetradrachm for Septimius Severus

194.

Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.80 g, 12h). Dated RY 9 (AD 200/201). AYT K Λ CЄΠ CЄYH [ЄYC]Є ΠЄPT CЄB APA A∆I, laureate head right / Julia Domna standing facing, head left, holding wreath with her right hand and scepter with her left; to left, Geta standing facing, head right, holding globe in his extended right hand and scepter with his left; to right, Caracalla standing facing, head left, holding his mother’s scepter with his right hand and crowning Nike (mostly off the flan) in his left; Θ (date) above, [L] in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3985 bis (this coin – not numbered on pl. 215); K&G 49.32; Emmett 2665.9 (R5 – this coin cited); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 194 (this coin).

Good VF, attractive find patina with traces of green. Extremely rare, with only two known specimens, this coin, and one that appeared in Sternberg XII (1982), lot 659. ($2000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3985 bis.

This coin was probably issued in connection with Septimius’ visit to Egypt, along with his family, in AD 199/200. A great rarity, it was not numbered in the Dattari (Savio) plates, hence we have assigned it the number of 3985 bis.

113

Unique Julia Domna Tetradrachm

195.

Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.85 g, 12h). Dated RY 20 of Caracalla (AD 211/212). IOYΛIA • ∆OMNA • CЄB • MHTЄP • C[TPA], draped bust right / Caracalla, laureate and wearing military attire, standing facing, head left, holding crowning Nike in his extended right hand and shield set on the ground with his left, spear behind; captive, hands bound behind back, seated left at his feet; L K (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4033 (this coin); K&G 50.20; Emmett 2860.20 (R5 – this coin cited); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 195 (this coin). Near EF, toned.

Extremely rare, probably unique, and exceptional. One of the finest known tetradrachms of Julia Domna known, with nothing comparable sold at auction since 2000. ($3000) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4033.

A wonderful Julia Domna tetradrachm issued under her son, Caracalla. The reverse is identified as Ares by Dattari, et al, based most likely on a Corinthian helmet they perceive him to be wearing. Without another example to compare it to, this cataloguer believes that it is Caracalla, laureate, with the ends of the laurel wreath ties visible behind his head.

Unique Caracalla Diobol

196. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Diobol (23mm, 9.08 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 of Septimius Severus (AD 199/200). [AYT K M] AYPHΛ ANTω NINOC [CЄB], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Caracalla on horseback right, holding a scepter with his left hand over his left shoulder, raising his right hand in salute; L H (date) below. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; Emmett –; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 197 (this coin). Near VF, thick, dark green to black patina with traces of red. Unique. ($500) Ex Paul-Francis Jacquier 38 (13 September 2013), lot 252.

This unique diobol of Caracalla shares a common reverse design with a diobol of his younger brother, Geta, also struck in regnal year 8, which may also be unique (Dattari 4081; Emmett 2810.8 [R5 – citing Dattari 4081]).

114

197. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Drachm (35mm, 24.98 g, 12h). Dated RY 21 (AD 212/213). AYT K M AYP CЄ ANTωN[INOC Π MЄ BPЄ M] ЄY CЄB, laureate head right / Caracalla, laureate and wearing military attire, standing facing, head right, holding a spear with his right hand and a globe(?) in his left; on his right, Sarapis standing facing, head left, holding a scepter with his left hand and crowning Caracalla with a wreath held in his right; L KA (date) to left. Köln 2284 var. (position of date); Dattari (Savio) 4053 & 9760; K&G 51.16; Emmett 2831A.21 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 196 (this coin). VF, rough reddish brown patina with traces of green, a few cleaning marks. Very rare, with only one other specimen sold at auction since 2000. ($1000) Ex Frank L. Kovacs XI (19 June 1993), lot 206.

Stunning Geta Tetradrachm

198. Geta. As Caesar, AD 198-209. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.68 g, 12h). Dated RY 9 of Septimius Severus (AD 200/201). [Π CЄ]ΠTIMIOC ΓЄTAC KAICA[P], bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right, head left with a wreath in its beak, wings closed; L Θ (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9790 (this coin); K&G 53.3 var. (obv. bust type); Emmett 2795.9 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 198 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Extremely rare with wonderful metal quality for the issue. Most likely the finest of the three known specimens. The only comparable Geta tetradrachm to appear at auction since 2000 was sold by Roma Numismatics in 2015 (Auction X, lot 627). It was the same type, but dated RY 10.

($5000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9790.

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199.

Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Potin Tetradrachm (25mm, 14.11 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 219/220). A KAICAP MA AVP ANTωNINOC Є[V]CЄB, laureate head right / Helmeted and draped bust of Athena Parthenos right; L Γ (date) before. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4104 (this coin); K&G 56.23; Emmett 2914.3 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 199 (this coin). Good VF, toned with traces of silvering. Rare type for this regnal year with nice surfaces. Well centered on a broad flan. ($300) Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection (Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH 12, with Nomos AG, 11 April 2003), lot 627; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4104.

200. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 221/222). A KAICA[P MA AVP] ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus reclining left, holding a cornucopia with his left hand, from which emerges a genius and a second genius supports the cornucopia, and a reed with his right hand; to left, a Nilometer as an obelisk with two genii attendants; three additional genii by the reed; L Є (date) in exergue. Köln 2347 var. (number and positions of Genii); Dattari (Savio) 12324; K&G 56.65; Emmett 2947.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 200 (this coin). Good VF, reddish brown patina. Very rare. An exceptional depiction of a Nilometer, with one of the attendants marking the water level. Comparable to the specimen we sold in CNG 105, lot 615, with the reverse of this coin better centered. ($500) Ex Historical Coin Review (Victor England) Vol. XIII, No. 2 (Spring 1988), no. 72 (and featured on the front cover).

The Nilometer, in this case a stone obelisk that measured the inundation of the Nile, was a prominent landmark in Egyptian culture. It was vital as a calendar to mark the passing of the seasons and for assessing the fertility of the land, which depended on the annual Nile flood. It occurs frequently in Egyptian art, surrounded by attendants and the fruits of the fertile river.

201.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.58 g, 12h). Rome mint. Dated RY 4 (AD 224/225).

A KAI M AYP CЄOYHP AΛЄΞAN∆POC ЄYCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Bust of Ammon right, slight drapery across both shoulders; L TЄTAPTOY (date) around. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4397; K&G 62.51; Emmett 3147A.4; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 202 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces, minor roughness. Rare. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 87 (18 May 2011), lot 911.

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202 203 202.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (27mm, 12.54 g, 12h). Rome mint. Dated RY 4 (AD 224/225).

A KAI M AYP CЄOYHP AΛЄΞAN∆POC ЄYCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Sarapis enthroned left, holding a scepter with his left hand, extending his right hand toward Kerberos seated at his feet; L TЄTAPTOY (date) around. Köln 2425; Dattari (Savio) 4359; K&G 62.53; Emmett 3135.4; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 201 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with traces of green. ($200) Ex Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland Deutschland GmbH 1 (16 September 1997), lot 557.

One of the few reverse dies for this Rome mint issue that actually depicts Kerberos with three heads

203.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (27mm, 15.19 g, 12h). Rome mint. Dated RY 5 (AD 225/226).

A KAI M AYP CЄOYHP AΛЄΞAN∆POC ЄYCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Sarapis enthroned left, holding a scepter with his left hand, extending his right hand toward Kerberos seated at his feet; [L] ΠЄΜ ΠΤΟΥ (date) around. Köln 2435-7; Dattari (Savio) 4360-2; K&G 62.69; Emmett 3135.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 203 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina with traces of red and green, minor roughness. ($300) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 655.

204.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.11 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 (AD 227/228). A KAI MAP AV CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC [ЄV], laureate and cuirassed bust right / Helmeted and draped bust of Athena Parthenos right, wearing aegis; L Z (date) to right. Köln –; Dattari 4272 (this coin); K&G 62.86; Emmett 3093.7 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 204 (this coin). Good VF, toned with some traces of silvering. Excellent metal quality for issue. ($500) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 374; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4272.

205.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.84 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 230/231). A KAI MAP AVP CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust of Sarapis right, wearing ornate kalathos; L I (date) to left, palm frond to right. Köln 2450-1; Dattari 4352 & 9948; K&G 62.122; Emmett 3133.10 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 205 (this coin). EF, brown patina with traces of green, a few light cleaning scratches on the reverse. Nice metal quality and fine style portraits of Severus Alexander and Sarapis. ($500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions V, 9 December 1988), lot 198.

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Ex Wetterstrom and Ruder Collections

206.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ Drachm (34mm, 24.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 230/231). A KAI MAP AVP CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right, head left with wreath in beak, wings closed; L I (date) before, palm frond behind. Köln 2453; Dattari (Savio) 4444 & 10011; K&G 62.127; Emmett 3158.10 (R4 – citing Milne 3046); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 208 (this coin). VF, reddish brown patina with traces of green, some minor roughness. Extremely rare. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 145; Lucius S. Ruder Collection (Coin Galleries, 19 August 1987), lot 396 (part of).

The palm frond on Severus Alexander’s regnal year 10 coinage alludes to the decennalia ludi, public games celebrating the completion of a ten-year reign. He would continue to use the palm frond on his coinage through his year 14 coinage.

207.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ Drachm (33mm, 16.95 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 230/231). A KAI MAP AVP CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust of Ammon right, wearing solar disk; L I (date) behind, palm frond before. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4443 (this coin); K&G 62.129; Emmett 3182.10 (R4 – citing Hunterian 699); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 207 (this coin). Choice VF, attractive brown patina with touches of green and red.

Extremely rare, with only three examples known. Emmett cites the Hunterian coin, and Dattari owned two specimens: this coin and no. 10010. ($2000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, May 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4443.

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208.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.31 g, 12h). Dated RY 12 (AD 232/233). A KAI MAP AVP CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Helmeted and draped bust of Athena Parthenos right; L IB (date) behind, palm frond before. Köln 2476 var. (style of Athena bust on rev.); Dattari (Savio) 4280 (this coin); K&G 62.176; Emmett 3093.12; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 206 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Nice metal quality with some silvering. ($500) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4280.

Extremely Rare Julia Mamaea Drachm Depicting Athena Parthenos

a

b

209.

Julia Mamaea. Augusta, AD 222-235. Æ Drachm (34mm, 22.89 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 of Severus Alexander (AD 230/231). IOY • MAMЄA CЄB • MHT • CЄB K CTPA, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Helmeted and draped bust of Athena Parthenos right; L I (date) behind, palm frond before. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4544 (this coin); K&G 64.40; Emmett 3240.10 (R5 – citing this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 210 (this coin). Good VF, attractive dark brown and tan surfaces, slight obverse die shift, holed in antiquity – which does not affect any significant part of the design. Extremely rare, with only two specimens known: this coin and an example in the Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main (Förschner 879).

An exceptional artistic rendering of Athena Parthenos // Lot also includes an Athens “New Style” AR Tetradrachm (34mm, 16.85 g, 12h). Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos right / Owl standing right, head facing, on amphora; magistrates’ names in fields; trident to right; EY below; all within wreath. Thompson 126a; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 211 (this coin). VF, toned. ($3000) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 380; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4544 // For Athens Tetradrachm: Ex Bonhams/V.C. Vecchi & Sons 7 (29 March 1982), lot 144.

An extremely rare coin that also depicts a wonderful and artistic Athena Parthenos on its reverse, which Giovanni compares to the “New Style” silver tetradrachms from Athens. For comparison purposes, Giovanni collected an example of a “New Style” tetradrachm, which is included in this lot.

119

Three Known

210.

Julia Mamaea. Augusta, AD 222-235. Æ Drachm (33mm, 23.07 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 of Severus Alexander (AD 230/231). IOY MAMAIA • CЄB • MHT CЄB K CTPA, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Sarapis enthroned left, holding a scepter with his left hand, extending his right hand toward Kerberos seated at his feet, on the throneback is Nike crowning him with a wreath; L I (date) to upper left, palm frond to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4556; K&G 64.54; Emmett 3257.10 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 212 (this coin). VF, brown patina with touches of green and red, some roughness. Very rare.

Only three examples known – this coin, and the two Dattari specimens (which have slightly different obverse legends, but are the same reverse type). ($1000) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 663 (where it was noted that this was “probably” the Dattari specimen of 4555, but with the publication of the Dattari (Savio) plates, it is neither Dattari 4555 or 4556).

211.

Julia Mamaea. Augusta, AD 222-235. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.09 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 of Severus Alexander (AD 234/235). IOY MAMAIA CЄB MHTЄ CЄB K CTPA, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Zeus enthroned left, holding phiale with his extended right hand and scepter with his left; at his feet to left, eagle standing left, head right; L I∆ (date) to upper left, palm frond to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10086 (this coin); K&G 64.131; Emmett 3235.14; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 209 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green. ($150) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 379; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10086.

212.

Maximinus I. AD 235-238. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 13.71 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 236/237). AVTO MAΞIMINOC ЄVC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Radiate and draped bust of Helios right; L Γ (date) across field. Köln 2570 var. (obv. legend); Dattari 4573; K&G 65.35; Emmett 3280.3; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 213 (this coin). EF, toned with traces of silvering, a couple of verdigris spots on the obverse. Exceptional. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXI (9 September 1994), lot 1410.

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213. Maximus. Caesar, AD 235/6-238. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.80 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 of Maximinus I (AD 236/237). Γ IOVΛ OHP MAΞIMOC KAI, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Helmeted and draped bust of Athena Parthenos right, wearing aegis; L Γ (date) to right. Köln –; Dattari 4617; K&G 67.12; Emmett 3311.3 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 214 (this coin). EF, fully silvered with light toning. Very rare, and exceptional. Artistic portraits of Maximus and Athena Parthenos. ($750) Ex Numismatic Fine Arts Fall Mail Bid Sale (18 October 1990), lot 2462.

214.

Gordian III. As Caesar, AD 238. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.76 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 238). M AN ΓOPΔIANOCOC (sic) CЄB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Athena Nikephoros seated left, holding a spear with her left hand and a crowning Nike in her extended right hand; shield at side of throne, L A (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari 10190 (this coin); K&G 72.5; Emmett 3381.1 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 215 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces, some porosity. Very rare. ($150) Ex Carlo Fontana Collection (Finarte Casa D’Aste 995, 26 November 1996), lot 1185; Ars et Nummus (Giuseppe Nascia – Milano) FPL 1981; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10190.

It is difficult where to place this obverse die, which seems to be the result of some confusion. It could be either the earliest die for Gordian as Caesar, in which case the engraver gave him the wrong imperial title, or the earliest die as Augustus, albeit with a continuation of the use of the bare head for the Caesar issues (the legend shows no signs of being re-engraved over an earlier legend). In either case, the name is clearly blundered, and a first issue as Caesar would seem a more logical time for such an error to occur.

215.

Tranquillina. Augusta, AD 241-244. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.55 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 of Gordian III (AD 243/244). CAB TPANKVΛΛЄINA CЄB, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Sarapis enthroned left, holding a scepter with his left hand, extending his right hand toward Kerberos seated at his feet, on the throneback is Nike crowning him with a wreath; L Z (date) across field. Köln 2694; Dattari (Savio) 4837; K&G 73.37; Emmett 3459.7 (R5); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 216 (this coin). Good VF, brown patina with touches of red and green, a bit of roughness. Extremely rare. ($150) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, July 1994.

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216.

Philip I. AD 244-249. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 13.43 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 246/247). A K M IOV ΦΙΛ IΠΠΟC ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus seated left on rocks, holding a reed with his right hand and a cornucopia with his left; behind the rock, hippopotamus to right; before Nilus, Euthenia advancing right, holding a wreath in her extended right hand and two grain ears with her left hand; L ∆ (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10366; K&G 74.71 (citing the specimen in Auctiones AG Auction 26, lot 470 = Dattari 10366); Emmett 3503.4 (R5 – citing Curtis 1361); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 218 (this coin). VF, dark green to black patina with lighter green highlights. Extremely rare, with possibly only three known specimens: this coin, the Dattari coin, and the Curtis example. ($750) Ex Numismatik Lanz 74 ((20 November 1995), lot 714.

As described above, there are possibly only three known specimens for this extremely rare reverse type of Philip I. It is possible that this coin is also the Col. Curtis coin, but in his book, he describes the reverse as “Nilus seated & Euthenia standing; Nilus to l., holds cornucopia & reed, crocodile by side; Euthenia to r., holds wreath in r. hand; in ex. L ∆ (unpublished type).” The key difference is the “crocodile by side,” which if correct, then it is not the same coin, nor for the sake of accuracy, the same type. It is also possible that Curtis just erred in his description, using the ubiquitous crocodile versus the lesser seen hippopotamus when describing this coin type.

217.

Philip I. AD 244-249. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.11 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 246/247). A K M IOV ΦΙΛΠΠΟC (sic) ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Radiate and draped bust of Sarapis-Pantheos right, wearing kalathos with a horn to either side, and the horn of Ammon; before, cornucopia of Nilus; over his right shoulder, trident of Poseidon entwined with serpent of Asklepios; L ∆ (date) across field. Köln 2732; Dattari (Savio) 4916; K&G 74.73; Emmett 3510.4; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 217 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces with traces of green. Fine style portrait of Sarapis Pantheos. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXI (9 September 1994), lot 1414.

Sarapis was a syncretic god, combining Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian religious beliefs. His name is of Egyptian origin and derives from a synthesis of Ausar (Greek, Osiris), the Egyptian god of the Underworld, and Hapi (Greek, Apis), a manifestation of the god Ptah. Under the Ptolemies, Sarapis became the chief tutelary god and the subject of a royally-sponsored cult, whose emphasis on an afterlife made the worship of Sarapis one of the more popular mystery cults. His immense popularity soon extended to his creation as Sarapis-Pantheos, a hybrid deity incorporating other divine elements. In the case of the present specimen from the Staffieri collection, he is depicted with the radiate crown of Helios, his own kalathos, the ram’s horn of Ammon, the cornucopia of Nilus, and the trident of Poseidon entwined with the serpent of Asklepios.

122

218.

Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ Drachm (31mm, 21.07 g, 11h). Dated RY 6 (AD 248/249). A K M IOV ΦΙΛIΠΠΟC ЄYC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Homonoia standing facing, head left, raising her right hand upward, holding a double cornucopia with her left; palm frond to left, L ς (date) to right. Köln 2755; Dattari (Savio) 4946; K&G 74.112 corr. (does not mention the palm frond, which is visible in the example they used as their illustration); Emmett 3526.6 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 219 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with touches of red and green. Rare, especially in this exceptional condition. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 151.

Philip I reintroduced the bronze drachm denomination for his Alexandrian regnal years 5 and 6, most likely to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome.

219.

Otacilia Severa. Augusta, AD 244-249. Potin Tetradrachm (25mm, 11.80 g, 11h). Dated RY 4 of Philip I (AD 246/247). M ωT CЄOVHPA CЄ M ЄTPA (sic), draped bust right, wearing stephane / Turreted and draped bust of Alexandria left; L ∆ (date) to left. Köln 2769 var. (obv. legend and placement of date on rev.); Dattari (Savio) 4958 (this coin); K&G 75.41 var. (same); Emmett 3535.4 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 220 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with nice silvering showing through, slight reverse die shift. Rare, with an exceptional reverse. Well centered on a large flan. ($500) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4958.

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Exceptional Otacilia Severa Tetradrachm

220.

Otacilia Severa. Augusta, AD 244-249. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.67 g, 11h). Dated RY 5 of Philip I (AD 247/248). M ωT CЄOVHPA CЄ M CЄB, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Half-length figure of Roma facing, head left, her right hand raised in salute, holding a scepter with her left; L Є (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4994 (this coin); K&G 75.56; Emmett 3562.5 (R4 – citing Milne 3726); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 221 (this coin). Near EF, toned with nice silvering showing through. Extremely rare with a stunning reverse type. Exceptional detail on Roma’s tunic and cuirass. ($1000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4994.

This exceptional reverse type is most certainly connected to the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome.

221.

Philip II. AD 247-249. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.27 g, 11h). Dated RY 6 of Philip I (AD 248/249). A K M IOV ΦΙΛIΠΠΟC ЄVCЄ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Homonoia standing facing, head left, raising her right hand upward, holding a double cornucopia with her left; L ς (date) to left. Köln 2803 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 5056 (this coin – obverse illustrated on pl. V and reverse illustrated on pl. XVI); K&G 76.62; Emmett 3593.6; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 222 (this coin). EF, toned with nice silvering showing through. While not a rare type, the quality of this specimen is outstanding for this period. ($300) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 426; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5056.

In his book, Giovanni describes this coin as “Moneta di assoluto splendore: allo stato di zecca!” (Coin of absolute splendor: in mint state!).

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222.

Philip II. AD 247-249. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 11.90 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 of Philip I (AD 249). A K M IOV ΦΙΛIΠΠΟC ЄVCЄ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Laureate bust right of Zeus, slight drapery; L Z (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5063; K&G 76.81; Emmett 3612.7 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 223 (this coin). Near EF, toned with nice, almost full, silvering showing through. Very rare type for this last regnal year of Philip II. Another stunning coin. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXI (9 September 1994), lot 1419.

223.

Trajan Decius. AD 249-251. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 13.25 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 249/250). A K Γ M K TPAIANOC ∆ЄKIOC ЄV, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Asklepios standing facing, head left, sacrificing with phiale, held in his right hand, over a garlanded and lighted altar to the left, holding serpent-entwined staff with his left hand; L A (date) across field. Köln 2811 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 12482 (this coin); K&G 79.9; Emmett 3631.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 224 (this coin). Near EF, brown patina with traces of red. Nice surfaces with some silvering. ($200) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 12482.

224. Trajan Decius. AD 249-251. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.61 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 249/250). A K Γ M K TPAIANOC ∆ЄKIOC ЄV, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Athena Nikephoros enthroned left, holding a scepter with her left hand and crowning Nike in her extended right hand; L A (date) across field. Köln 2812 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 10481; K&G 79.11; Emmett 3632.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 225 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with traces of silvering showing through. An attractive portrait of Decius. ($200) Purchased from Spink & Son, London, July 1973.

In his book, Giovanni point out, correctly, that the reverse figure should be identified as Roma, not Athena, as it would have been politically correct to identify the figure with the capital of the empire. For consistency purposes, this cataloguer has used the traditional Athena Nikephoros attribution.

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225.

Trebonianus Gallus. AD 251-253. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 10.20 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 252/253). A K Γ OVIB TPЄB ΓAΛΛOC ЄVCЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nike advancing right, holding a wreath in her extended right hand and a palm frond over her left shoulder with her left hand; L Γ (date) across field. Köln 2837; Dattari (Savio) 5116; K&G 83.8; Emmett 3672.3 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 226 (this coin). EF, toned with nice, almost full, silvering showing through. Exceptional surfaces for this issue. ($300) Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 385 (January 1987), no. 22.

A Rare Drachm of Gallienus Ex Wetterstrom Collection

226. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ Drachm (29mm, 14.58 g, 11h). Dated RY 12 (AD 264/265). AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, head right with wreath in its beak, wings closed; L IB (date) to right, palm frond to left. Köln 2926; Dattari (Savio) 5294-6; K&G 90.83 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 3842.12 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 232 (this coin). Good VF, reddish brown patina with touches of green, minor roughness. Rare, with only one other specimen appearing at auction since 2000. ($2000) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 153 (further pedigree to Lucius S. Ruder Collection is in error).

This rare issue of drachms by Gallienus was most likely part of a continuing series of coins commemorating his decennalia, which occurred two years prior in AD 263. The diameter and weight of this issue was significantly decreased from the typical Alexandrian drachm of previous reigns.

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227. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Potin Tetradrachm (26mm, 10.22 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 (AD 266/267). AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Nike advancing right, holding a wreath in her extended right hand and a palm frond over her left shoulder with her left hand; L I∆ (date) to lower right. Köln 2938-9; Dattari (Savio) 5254 corr. (RY 14 not 11, see D-S plate) & 10539; K&G 90.94; Emmett 3821.14 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 229 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with traces of silvering showing through, minor roughness. Fine style. ($150) Purchased from Italo Vecchi, London, April 1978.

228. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 10.09 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 267/268). AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right, head left with wreath in its beak, wings closed; IЄ/L (date) to right, palm frond to left. Köln 2942-3; Dattari (Savio) 5276; K&G 90.98; Emmett 3807.15; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 231 (this coin). EF, dark brown surfaces. ($150) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona).

229.

Gallienus. AD 253-268. Potin Tetradrachm (24mm, 10.55 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD 267/268). AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Athena Nikephoros seated left on cuirass, holding a scepter with her left hand and crowning Nike in her extended right hand; IЄ/L (date) to left, palm frond to right. Köln 2946; Dattari (Savio) 10532 (this coin); K&G 90.100; Emmett 3797.15 corr. (seated on cuirass not throne); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 230 (this coin).

EF, brown surfaces with traces of silvering showing through. Fine style and great surfaces for the issue. ($200) Ex Kunst und Münzen AG XXII (2 April 1981), lot 452; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10532.

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230. Salonina. Augusta, AD 254-268. Æ Drachm (29mm, 13.31 g, 11h). Dated RY 12 of Gallienus (AD 264/265).

KOPNHΛIA CAΛωNЄINA CЄB, draped bust right, wearing diadem / Tyche standing facing, head left, holding a rudder with her right hand and a cornucopia with her left; L IB (date) to upper left, palm frond to right. Köln 2972; Dattari (Savio) 10562; K&G 91.37; Emmett 3868.12 (R5 – citing Köln 2972); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 235 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina. Extremely rare, with only one inferior specimen appearing at auction since 2000. ($2000) Ex Numismatik Lanz 66 (22 November 1993), lot 837.

Exceptional Salonina Tetradrachm Ex Dattari Collection

231.

Salonina. Augusta, AD 254-268. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 9.78 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 of Gallienus (AD 266/267).

KOPNHΛIA CAΛωNЄINA CЄB, draped bust right, wearing diadem / Draped bust of Isis right, wearing crown of solar disk and plumes; L I ∆ (date) across field, palm frond to right. Köln 2980; Dattari (Savio) 5336 (this coin); K&G 91.46; Emmett 3858.14; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 233 (this coin). EF, toned, almost fully silvered. Fine style depiction of Isis. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXI (9 September 1994), lot 1431; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5336.

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232. Salonina. Augusta, AD 254-268. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 9.94 g, 12h). Dated RY 14 of Gallienus (AD 266/267).

KOPNHΛIA CAΛωNЄINA CЄB, draped bust right, wearing diadem / Tyche reclining left on lectisternium (couch), holding rudder with her right hand, resting her left elbow on pile of pillows and propping her head on hand; L I∆ (date) above, palm frond below. Köln 2982; Dattari (Savio) 5342; K&G 91.47; Emmett 3865.14 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 234 (this coin). EF, attractive reddish brown patina with touches of green. Nice glossy surfaces. ($200) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 756.

233.

Valerian II. Caesar, AD 256-258. Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 9.95 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Valerian I & Gallienus (AD 257/258). Π ΛIK KOP OVAΛЄPIANOC KAIC CЄB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, head right with wreath in its beak, wings closed; L Є (date) across field. Köln 2997; Dattari (Savio) 5374; K&G 92.8; Emmett 3764.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 236 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces, minor roughness. Rare. ($300) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), January 1989.

Valerian II, the elder son of Gallienus and Salonina, was born circa AD 245. He was named Caesar and heir to the throne in 256, but died, it appears, a natural death at the beginning of 258.

234.

Saloninus. As Caesar, AD 258-260. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 10.81 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 of Valerian I & Gallienus (AD 260). ΠO ΛI KOP CA VAΛЄPIANOC K CЄB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nike standing facing, head left, holding a wreath with her extended right hand and a palm frond with her left; L H (date) to lower left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5359 (this coin); K&G 93.16; Emmett 3781.8 (R5 – citing this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 237 (this coin). EF, toned with nice silvering showing through. Extremely rare, the only published specimen, and perhaps unique. ($750) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5359.

Saloninus survived his brother by another two years. Afer the death of Valerian II, Saloninus was given the rank of Caesar, and sent to Cologne to oversee the western provinces. He was aided by Silvanus, the praetorian prefect, and Postumus, the governor of Upper (or Lower) Germany.

But soon Postumus was hailed as emperor by his troops, and he laid siege to the town of Cologne and the site of Saloninus’ court. After holding the rank of Augustus for a very brief period, the unfortunate Saloninus was executed by Postumus, along with Silvanus. Postumus then constructed a triumphal arch commemorating his victory over the teenage emperor.

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235. Macrianus. Usurper, AD 260-261. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 10.85 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 (AD 260/261). A K T Φ IOVN MAKPIANOC Є CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, wings open, wreath in its beak; L A (date) to lower left. Köln 3011; Dattari (Savio) 5380; K&G 94.1; Emmett 3785.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 227 (this coin).

Near EF, toned with silvering showing through. Exceptional for the issue. ($200) Ex Gorny & Mosch 118 (14 October 2002), lot 1853.

236. Quietus. Usurper, AD 260-261. Potin Tetradrachm (21mm, 9.69 g, 1h). Dated RY 1 (AD 260/261). A K T Φ ION (sic) KOVHTOC Є CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, wings open, wreath in its beak; L A (date) to lower left. Köln 3013-4; Dattari (Savio) 5382; K&G 95.1; Emmett 3788.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 228 (this coin). Near EF, brown patina with traces of green. Attractive surfaces. ($200) Ex Gorny & Mosch 118 (14 October 2002), lot 1854.

Harpokrates of Pelousion

237. Claudius II Gothicus. AD 268-270. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 9.35 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 269/270). AVT K KΛAV∆IOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Harpokrates of Pelousion standing facing, head right, wearing hem-hem crown, holding a pomegranate branch with his outstretched right hand and a pomegranate in his left; to left, small figure standing facing, plucking a pomegranate from branch; L B (date) across field. Köln 3036; Dattari (Savio) 5390; K&G 104.24; Emmett 3886.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 239 (this coin). EF, dark brown surfaces. ($300) Ex Empire Coins 8 (7 December 1987), lot 770 (further pedigree given to the Niggeler Collection cannot be verified, as this coin was not in the 1966 auction).

At Pelousion is the sacred image of Zeus Kasios; but the statue is that of a youth more like Apollo, so young it seemed. He has his hand stretched out holding a pomegranate, about which there is a mystical story. (Achilles Tatius 3.6) Achilles Tatius’ description of the cult image of Harpokrates of Pelousion, given in his tale of the adventures of the lovers Klitophon and Leukippe, is frustratingly brief and offers no clue as to how the youthful deity became associated with Zeus. Coins and gems serve as the primary evidence for the iconography of the sanctuary’s cult statue.

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238. Claudius II Gothicus. AD 268-270. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 9.47 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 269/270). AVT K KΛAV∆IOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Bust of Hermanubis right, slight drapery, wearing kalathos; L B (date) to left, winged caduceus surmounted by palm frond to right. Köln 3037-8; Dattari (Savio) 5392-3; K&G 104.25; Emmett 3883.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 240 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown surfaces. ($200) Ex Empire Coins 7 (2 May 1987), lot 239.

239. Claudius II Gothicus. AD 268-270. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 8.94 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 269/270). AVT K KΛAV∆IOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Conjoined busts of Nilus, wearing grain ear wreath and with a cornucopia behind his right shoulder, and Euthenia, draped and wearing grain ear wreath, right; L B (date) to right. Köln 3044; Dattari (Savio) 5405 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XX); K&G 104.31; Emmett 3892.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 238 (this coin). EF, toned with full silvering. Exceptional surfaces, and most likely the finest known. ($300) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5405.

240. Quintillus. AD 270. Potin Tetradrachm (21mm, 9.62 g, 1h). Dated RY 1 (AD 270). A K M A KΛ KVINTIΛΛOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right with wreath in its beak; palm frond behind, L A (date) across field. Köln 3050; Dattari (Savio) 5420 (this coin); K&G 105.2; Emmett 3906.1; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 241 (this coin). EF, reddish brown surfaces. Exceptional. ($200) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5420.

Quintillus was the younger brother of Claudius II, and had been placed in command by his brother at Aquileia to protect the western borders, while Claudius was in command of the effort against the Goths. In August or September of 270, when news reached Italy and Aquileia of Claudius’ death, Quintillus paid a donative to the army, curried the support of the Senate, and was then hailed emperor. His tenure was to be short-lived as the Illyrian troops proclaimed Aurelian, Claudius’ successor in the Gothic campaign in the Balkans, as emperor. In either October or November of 270, Quintillus committed suicide, after his own soldiers had abandoned his cause.

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241.

Aurelian, with Vaballathus. AD 270-275. Potin Tetradrachm (22mm, 8.83 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 of Aurelian (AD 270/271). AVT K Λ ∆ AVPHΛIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right of Aurelian; L A (date) to either side of bust / I A C OVABAΛΛAΘOC AΘHN[O V AVT C Pω], laureate, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Vaballathus right. Köln 3053; Dattari (Savio) 5421 (this coin); K&G 106.68; Emmett 3914 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 244 (this coin). EF, dark brown surfaces with some underlying red. Exceptional. ($500) Purchased from Athos Moretti, Bellinzona, May 1987. Ex Athos Moretti Collection (Bellinzona); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5421.

An Overstruck Alexandrian Reduced Drachm

242.

Aurelian, with Vaballathus. AD 270-275. Æ Reduced Drachm (25mm, 8.41 g, 12h). Dated RY 1 of Aurelian & RY 4 of Vaballathus (AD 270/271). AVPHΛIAN[OC KAI AΘH]NO∆ω[POC], laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Aurelian right vis-à-vis laureate, diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust of Vaballathus left / L A above L Δ (dates) in two lines within wreath with central medallion. Köln 3057; Dattari (Savio) 5429-30; K&G 106.70; Emmett 3916 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 245 (this coin). VF, dark brown patina. A very rare denomination for this late period. Overstruck on an uncertain, eastern mint (probably somewhere in the Levant), provincial bronze, with parts of the undertype visible on both sides. ($1000) Ex Paul-Francis Jacquier 40 (16 October 2015), lot 418; Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 410 (31 October 2013), lot 771.

A fascinating coin that has been overstruck on another provincial bronze. As this was either a new denomination being introduced, or the bronze drachm being reintroduced on a reduced standard, it is possible that the Alexandrian mint used other provincial bronzes as the flans for this rare issue, which would help explain the inconsistency of the diameters and weights of surviving examples. A study of extant examples might help determine if other specimens exhibit any signs of an undertype. In any case, an overstruck Alexandrian coin of any type or period is basically never encountered.

243. Aurelian. AD 270-275. Potin Tetradrachm (21mm, 8.01 g, 1h). Dated RY 5 (AD 273/274). A K Λ ∆OM AVPHΛIANOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, head right with wreath in its beak; star to upper left, ЄTOVC upward to left, Є (date) to right. Köln 3082; Dattari (Savio) 5476; K&G 106.41; Emmett 3923.5; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 242 (this coin). EF, attractive dark brown surfaces. ($150) Purchased from Numismatica Aretusa SA (Lugano–Franco Chiesa), March 1977.

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244. Severina. Augusta, AD 270-275. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 8.23 g, 12h). Dated RY 7 of Aurelian (AD 275).

OVΛΠ • CЄVH PINA • CЄB, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Dikaiosyne standing facing, head left, holding scales with her right hand and corncuopia with her left; ЄTOVC upward to left, Z (date) to right. Köln 3107; Dattari (Savio) 5500; K&G 107.9; Emmett 3964.7 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 243 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown patina with some silvering showing through. Exceptional. ($100) Ex Empire Coins 7 (2 May 1987), lot 247; Col. James W. Curtis Collection, no. 1818.

Exceptional Zenobia Tetradrachm Ex Dattari Collection

245. Zenobia. Usurper, AD 268-272. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 9.68 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Vaballathus (AD 272).

CЄΠTIM ZH NOBIA CЄB, draped bust right, wearing stephane / Homonoia standing facing, head left, raising her right hand upward, holding a double cornucopia with her left; L Є (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5512 (this coin); K&G 108.2; Emmett 3912.5 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 247 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with traces of green. Very rare, and exceptional, with superior surfaces to most of the surviving specimens. ($10,000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1986. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 5512.

While a nominal ally of Rome, Odenathus, ruler of the wealthy eastern trade center of Palmyra and husband of Septimia Zenobia, took advantage of Rome’s internal and external conflicts to expand his territories. The circumstances surrounding the assassination of Odenathus around 267 are uncertain, but we do know that Zenobia soon after took the title of Augusta and bestowed on her infant son Vaballathus the title of Augustus. Zenobia continued to expand the Palmyrene kingdom, seizing control of Egypt in 269 and, with it, the Roman grain supply.

To further bolster her position, Zenobia claimed to be the descendant of such illustrious figures as Cleopatra VII of Egypt and the legendary Queen Dido of Carthage.

When Aurelian rose to the purple in 270, he pragmatically acquiesced to Zenobia and Vaballathus’ rule in the east, while he concerned himself with stabilizing the situation in the west. By 272, he was prepared to campaign against the usurpers. Palmyra was sacked, and both Zenobia and Vabalathus were captured as they tried to make their way to Persia. Zenobia was brought to Rome and paraded in Aurelian’s triumph in 274. According to a later tradition, Aurelian, impressed by her beauty and dignity, later freed her and granted her a villa in Tibur, where she spent the rest of her life.

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246. Vaballathus. Usurper, AD 268-272. Potin Tetradrachm (21mm, 9.32 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 272). AVT K OVABAΛΛAΘOC AΘHNO CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Homonoia standing facing, head left, raising her right hand upward, holding a double cornucopia with her left; L Є (date) to left. Köln 3064; Dattari (Savio) 10610 (this coin); K&G 109.2; Emmett 3910.5 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 246 (this coin). Good VF, brown surfaces, minor roughness. Rare. ($1000) Ex Auctiones AG 7 (7 June 1977), lot 508; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10610.

247. Diocletian. AD 284-305. Potin Tetradrachm (19mm, 7.37 g, 11h). Dated RY 12 (AD 295/296). ∆IOKΛHTIANOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Laureate and draped bust right of Zeus; L I B (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5772-3; K&G 119.137; Emmett 4086.12 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 248 (this coin). EF, lovely dark brown patina with traces of green. Very rare type for the last regnal year of Diocletian, and the last Alexandrian-style coinage to be struck in Egypt. ($500) Ex Classical Numismatic Group XXXI (9 September 1994), lot 1445.

Roman Mint Opens at Alexandria Under Diocletian

248. Diocletian. AD 284-305. Æ Follis (25mm, 10.05 g, 12h). Imperial mint, 1st officina. Struck circa AD 294. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right / GENIO POPV I (sic) ROMANI, Genius standing facing, head left, wearing chlamys and kalathos, holding a cornucopia with his left hand and a patera, from which liquor flows, with his right; to left, eagle standing left, head right; A//ALE. RIC VI 14a; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 262 (this coin). VF, brown patina with traces of red and green. ($100) Purchased from Sarti, Varese, February 1984. Ex Sarti Collection (Varese).

As one of the first Latin-style folles to be struck at Alexandria, Giovanni included this coin in his collection.

249.

Constantius I. As Caesar, AD 293-305. Potin Tetradrachm (18mm, 6.52 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 294/295). ΦΛΑ ΚωCTANTIOC (sic) K, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust of Harpokrates right, wearing skhent and uraeus, raising his right hand to his mouth; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6065; K&G 121.22; Emmett 4189.3 (R5 – citing Dattari 6065); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 250 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with green earthen highlights/deposits. Extremely rare, with only one other specimen appearing at auction since 2000. ($300) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions IV, 21 September 1988), lot 353.

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250. Galerius. As Caesar, AD 293-305. Potin Tetradrachm (20mm, 7.30 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 295/296). ΓΑΛ ΜΑΞI MIANOC K, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Galerius left, wearing a chin strap, holding a spear over his right shoulder and a shield on his left shoulder; his helmet decorated with a crowning Nike; star over L ∆ (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) – (but cf. 6110 – a similar bust right with shield only); K&G – (but. cf. 122.39 – same); Emmett 4221.4 (R5 – citing this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 249 (this coin). Near EF, brown patina with touches of green. Extremely rare, perhaps unique. ($500) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions IV, 21 September 1988), lot 357.

In his book, Giovanni has identified the bust on the reverse of this coin as Roma. This cataloguer understands the logic of this identification, but I still prefer my original attribution of the bust to Galerius.

Giovanni also indicates that this coin may possibly be from the Col. James W. Curtis collection, as he cites a similar coin in his book as X-2125. The X before the collection number actually indicates that the coin was not owned by Curtis, and also, Curtis is describing Dattari 6110, with the type facing right, and without a spear.

The Coinage of Domitius Domitianus

251.

Domitius Domitianus. Usurper, AD 297-298. Æ Follis (25mm, 10.29 g, 12h). Imperial mint, 1st officina. 2nd emission, AD 298. IMP C L DO[MITI]VS DOMITIANVS AVG, laureate head right / GENIO POPV L I ROMANI, Genius standing facing, head left, wearing chlamys and kalathos, holding a cornucopia with his left hand and a patera, from which liquor flows, with his right; to left, eagle standing left, head right; A//ALE. RIC VI 20; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 263 (this coin). Good VF, dark brown patina with traces of red and green. Rare. ($1500) Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG 64 (17 May 2012), lot 2729.

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252.

Domitius Domitianus. Usurper, AD 297-298. Potin Octadrachm(?) (22mm, 11.00 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 297/298). ΔOMЄTI ANOC CЄB, radiate head right / Sarapis standing right, wearing kalathos, raising his right arm in salute, holding transverse scepter with his left hand and arm; palm frond to right, L B (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10824 (this coin); K&G 126.1; Emmett 4241.2; Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 1 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 264 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina with traces of silvering showing through. Rare and exceptional.

Probably one of the finest known. ($3000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, July 1973. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10824.

The revolt of Domitius Domitianus in Egypt destabilized a vitally strategic region by interrupting the grain supply to Rome and opening the possibility of a Persian (Sasanian) invasion. For almost a year, Domitius Domitianus controlled Alexandria and its mint, striking aurei and folles, as well as a series of pre-reform provincial denominations.

A major question regarding these latter coins has been what were their specific values. For the most part, scholars agree that the larger coins featuring the radiate bust must be a double, and thereby call it an octodrachm. At half the weight, then, the smallest coins with the Nike on the reverse must be tetradrachms, though these coins have erroneously been called heretofore didrachms. The weights of these tetradrachms appear consistent with the final issues of pre-reform tetradrachms of the Tetrarchs. The middle denomination poses the largest challenge to this arrangement. By weight, it should be a hexadrachm. However, no such denomination was known to have been struck in Egypt, though tetradrachms earlier in the third century achieved this weight. The obvious problem here would be the confusion caused in circulating the same denomination in two different weights. As this type is the rarest of the group, it is possible that it was meant for a special occasion, or more remotely, a stalled attempt to reinstitute the pre-reform coinage on an earlier weight standard. Further investigation may shed more light on this subject.

253.

Domitius Domitianus. Usurper, AD 297-298. Potin Hexadrachm(?) (21mm, 9.89 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 297/298). ΔOMITI ANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust of Sarapis right, wearing ornate kalathos; L B (date) to left, palm frond to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 6186 (this coin); K&G 126.9; Emmett 4242.2 (R3 – this coin cited); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 265 (this coin). VF, brown surfaces with touches of green and underlying silver tone, some minor roughness. Extremely rare. ($2000) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 70 (21 September 2005), lot 625; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 6186.

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Exceptional Domitius Domitianus Tetradrachm

254.

Domitius Domitianus. Usurper, AD 297-298. Potin Tetradrachm(?) (21mm, 7.16 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 297/298). ΔOMITIA NOC CЄB, laureate head right / Nike advancing right, holding a wreath in her extended right hand and a palm frond over her left shoulder with her left hand; L B (date) across field. Köln 3368 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 10810 (this coin); K&G 126.7; Emmett 4244.2; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 266 (this coin). EF, attractive dark brown patina with traces of green. Rare and exceptional. ($3000) Ex Numismatica Aretusa SA 2 (13 May 1994), lot 454; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10810.

255.

Domitius Domitianus. Usurper, AD 297-298. Potin Tetradrachm(?) (18mm, 8.26 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 297/298). ΔOMITI ANOC CЄB, laureate head right / Nike standing facing, head left, holding a wreath with her extended right hand and a palm frond with her left; L B (date) across lower field. Köln 3370; Dattari (Savio) 6184 (this coin); K&G 126.4; Emmett 4246.2; Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 2 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 267 (this coin). Near EF, brown patina with touches of green and underlying silvering. Rare and exceptional. ($3000) Ex Nummorum Auctiones AG III (15 March 1977), lot 111; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 6184.

A Trial Series Based on Domitius Domitianus’ Coinage

256.

Diocletian, with Maximianus. AD 284-305. Potin ‘Argenteus’ (19mm, 3.58 g, 12h). Without a date, but struck circa May/June–September/October AD 298. ∆IOKΛHTIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ΜΑΞIMIANOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10625 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett –; Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 11 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 268 (this coin). EF, dark brown patina, with traces of silvering. Extremely rare. Only one inferior specimen has appeared at auction since 2000 (Gerhard Hirsch 261, 2009, lot 827). ($3000) Purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, January 1974. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10625.

In his book, Giovanni speculates that this coin may have been part of a pattern issue for an ‘argenteus’ or some other Roman denomination that was never issued. This so-called ‘trial’ coin would have been issued during the transitional period between the strictly Alexandrian-style coinage and the introduction of the new Roman-style coinage (e.g. folles, etc.).

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257. Diocletian. AD 284-305. Potin Octadrachm(?) (22mm, 7.40 g, 12h). Without a date, but struck circa May/June– September/October AD 298. ∆IOKΛHTI ANOC CЄB, radiate head right / C ЄPAΠIC CωTHP (‘Serapis [the] Savior’), draped bust of Sarapis right, wearing ornate kalathos. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 119.140; Emmett –; Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 3 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 269 (this coin). Near EF, dark brown patina with earthen highlights/deposits. Extremely rare, perhaps unique. ($3000) Ex Numismatik Lanz 109 (27 May 2002), lot 824.

Perhaps another ‘pattern’ coin issued during the transitional period between the strictly Alexandrian-style coinage and the introduction of the new Roman-style coinage (e.g. folles, etc.). Kampmann & Ganschow, in their reference cited above (Die Münzen der römischen Münzstätte Alexandria), state that: “The following two types have not been influenced by portraiture in Alexandria; however, since under Diocletian and Maximianus only coins with Greek legends were issued in Egypt, they were probably intended for circulation in Egypt.” The second type they refer to is lot 259.

258. Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. Potin Octadrachm(?) (23mm, 7.64 g, 12h). Without a date, but struck circa May/June–September/October AD 298. MAΞIMI ANOC CЄB, radiate head right / C ЄPAΠIC CωTHP (‘Serapis [the] Savior’), draped bust of Sarapis right, wearing ornate kalathos. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10692 (this coin); K&G –; Emmett 4167 (R5 – this coin cited); Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 4 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 270 (this coin). EF, wonderful dark brown patina with traces of silvering showing through. Extremely rare. Only three examples are known: a specimen sold in Numismatica Ars Classica AG 51, lot 411; this coin, which is Dattari 10692; and Dattari 10693. ($4000) Purchased from Renzo Canavesi, Sagno, 1996. Ex Renzo Canavesi Collection (Sagno); Giuseppe Nascia Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 10692.

The companion coin to the previous lot. It is interesting to compare these two coins to the potin ‘octadrachm’ of Domitius Domitianus, and speculate that the Domitianus coin influenced these two rare ‘trial’ pieces or vice versa.

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259.

Diocletian. AD 284-305. Potin Tetradrachm (18mm, 6.40 g, 6h). Struck circa AD 296. ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / IC IC, Isis standing facing, head left, holding a sistrum with her right hand and a long scepter with her left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 119.141 (this coin cited); Emmett 4090 (R5); A. Geissen, “Numismatische Bemerkung zu dem Aufstand des L. Domitius Domitianus,” ZPE 22 (1976) p. 284 and pl. XVI, 19; Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 5 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 271 (this coin). EF, attractive dark green patina with traces of silvering. Extremely rare, and probably one of the finest known specimens. ($3000) Ex Münzauktion Tkalec AG (23 October 1992), lot 434.

Because of the reverse, this tetradrachm has been erroneously attributed as an issue related to the Festival of Isis coinage. Alföldi, in his work on the subject, demonstrated that all the Festival of Isis coinage was of imperial type, minted at Rome in the later fourth century AD, and conformed to a standardized legend and type – VOTA PVBLICA and the goddess standing on her divine ship. Since he listed no provincial issues commemorating the festival, and since the striking of provincial coinage had ended by the beginning of the fourth century, it is reasonable to conclude that this tetradrachm, while it does depict Isis, is not to be associated with the festival in Rome.

In any event, this type is very rare, and some extremely rare Alexandrian coins may offer a clue for its use under Diocletian. Egypt was undergoing a number of economic changes as the Roman government was beginning to end the production of its provincial coinage and replacing it with imperial types. During this transition, while the mint was striking tetradrachms of a more imperial style with increasingly imperial types, very rare undated issues, some with specifically Egyptian reverses, such as this coin, were also struck. Most likely, these latter coins were an attempt to ease the changes taking place and accommodate a population used to its local monetary types. Ultimately, this policy failed to satisfy, for shortly after the new imperial coinage was introduced, a revolt in Egypt broke out under Domitius Domitianus.

260. Maximianus. First reign, AD 286-305. Potin Tetradrachm (18mm, 6.72 g, 12h). Struck circa AD 296. MAΞIMIA NOC CЄB, laureate head right / IC IC, Isis standing facing, head left, holding a sistrum with her right hand and a long scepter with her left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 120.144; Emmett 4166 (R5); Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 6 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 272 (this coin). VF, dark green patina with traces of red, minor roughness. Extremely rare, even more so than the Diocletian coins from this same series. ($2000) Ex Gerhard Hirsch Nachf. 184 (23 November 1994), lot 964.

Part of the same series as the last lot.

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261. Diocletian. AD 284-305. Potin Didrachm(?) (17mm, 4.96 g, 12h). Struck circa AD 296. ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙΑΝOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / IC IC, Isis standing facing, head left, holding a sistrum with her right hand and a long scepter with her left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 119.141; Emmett 4090 (R5); Staffieri, “Testimonianze sulla fine della monetazione autonoma alessandrina (296-298 d.C),” Proceedings of the XIII International Numismatic Congress (Madrid, 2005), pp. 937-45, Fig. 7 (this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 273 (this coin). EF, dark green to black patina with traces of red. Extremely rare. ($3000) Ex Classical Numismatic Group 63 (21 May 2003), lot 1104.

At almost two grams lighter than the tetradrachms in this series, Giovanni considers this coin either a reduced-weight tetradrachm or a didrachm. In practice, with the same types as the full-weight tetradrachms, a reduced weight tetradrachm (or didrachm) would be very confusing for the local population. But as these coins do not fit into the normal Alexandrian coinage, as they do not have regnal dates, it is also possible that not as much attention was paid to weight standards, or we just don’t understand the intended use for these coins (e.g. they may be part of the ‘pattern’ issues that were developed during the transition from the Alexandrian to the Imperial series as noted before).

262.

Diocletian, with Maximianus. AD 284-305. Potin Tetradrachm (19mm, 6.80 g, 12h). Struck circa AD 298. ΔΙΟΚΛΗΤΙ ΑΝOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ΜΑΞIMIA NOC CЄB, laureate head right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 5618; K&G 119.139; Emmett 4091 (R5 – citing Dattari 5618); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 274 (this coin).

Good VF, dark brown surfaces with touches of green, a bit of roughness. Extremely rare. Only two specimens known: the Dattari coin (no. 5618); and this coin. ($750) Ex M&M Numismatics, Ltd. I (7 December 1997), lot 312.

This extremely rare coin is either a mule of two obverses that ‘escaped’ the Alexandrian mint, or it is part of the pattern series issued during the transitional period between the strictly Alexandrian-style coinage and the introduction of the new Roman-style coinage (e.g. folles, etc.).

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A Specialized Collection of Corona Radiata – Radiate Portraits

263

264

263. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35mm, 22.34 g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (AD 107/108). [AVT TPAI]AN C[ЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK], radiate and draped bust right / Trajan standing facing, head left, wearing military attire, holding a spear with his left hand, his right hand extended; to left, Athena standing facing, head right, holding a spear with her left hand and shield on the ground with her right; to right, Nike standing left, crowning Trajan with a wreath held in her right hand, holding a palm frond with her left; L I[A] (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC III 4226.1/3 (this coin); Emmett 483.11 (R5 – citing the specimen in the Steger collection = the ANS coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 252 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp.

121-144, 4a (this coin– illustrated). Good Fine, dark green to black patina with lighter patches of green. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite three coins: one in the collection of the American Numismatic Society (1944.100.56254); a specimen in the Demetrio collection in Athens; and this coin. ($300) Ex Paul-Francis Jacquier FPL 20 (Autumn 1997), no. 429.

From RPC III, p. 575: “This is the earliest radiate bust for Trajan on the 33mm denomination; another example occurs in year 12 (emperor in quadriga = DS 6913 = 4294.4), but not otherwise until year 15 (although it occurs on a smaller denomination in year 14). Athena could be interpreted as Roma.”

264. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (33mm, 20.90 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/114). AVT TPAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, radiate and heroic bust right, wearing aegis / Dioskouroi standing facing, heads vis-à-vis, each holding a parazonium with their inner hand and the bridle of their horse with their outer hand; [L I]Z (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC III 4790.3/1 (this coin); Emmett 444.17; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 251 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 15a (this coin– illustrated). VF, reddish brown patina with touches of green, some roughness. Extremely rare, perhaps unique, with Trajan wearing a radiate crown. This is the only specimen cited by the authors of RPC. ($500) Ex Kölner Münzkabinett 67 (12 November 1997), lot 525.

265. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (35mm, 20.63 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/114). AVT T PAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, radiate and heroic bust right, wearing aegis / Kalathos on a short column between two winged serpents (Agathodaimon), each wearing skhent; L IZ (date) in exergue. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 7232 (this coin); K&G –; RPC III 4805.3/1 (this coin); Emmett 396.17 (R2); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 253 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 13a (this coin – illustrated).

Good VF, dark brown patina with areas of green and touches of red, some minor smoothing. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite just two coins: one in the collection of Patrick Matthijs (Belgium), no. 396; and this coin. ($1000) Ex Künker 124 (16 March 2007), lot 8137; Kölner Münzkabinett 67 (12 November 1997), lot 526; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 7232.

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266 267 266. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (33mm, 21.03 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/114). AVT T [PAIAN CЄB] ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, radiate and heroic bust right, wearing aegis / Zeus, holding a scepter with his right hand, reclining left on the wings of an eagle, head left, standing facing on thunderbolt; L I Z (date) across upper field. Köln 657; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC III 4816.5/2 (this coin); Emmett 616.17; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 254 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 19 (= Köln 657). Fine, dark brown patina with touches of red, some scratches and smoothing. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite just two coins: the specimen in the Köln collection; and this coin. ($200) Purchased from Frank Sternberg, Zürich, 1986.

267. Trajan. AD 98-117. Æ Drachm (33mm, 20.89 g, 12h). Dated RY 17 (AD 113/114). AVT T PAIAN CЄB ΓЄPM ∆AKIK, radiate and heroic bust right, wearing aegis / Dionysos, holding a thyrsos with his right hand, reclining left in a cart drawn by two panthers, each looking in opposite directions; L IZ (date) above. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC III 4787.4/3 (this coin, illustrated on pl. 227); Emmett 442.17; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 255 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 14a (this coin – illustrated). VF, dark green and brown patina, smoothing. Extremely rare. The authors of RPC cite three coins: one in the collection of the American Numismatic Society (1974.26.3096); a possible specimen in the De Nederlandsche Bank collection in Amsterdam (“not clearly radiate”); and this coin. ($300) Purchased from Jean-Pierre Righetti, Ferpicloz, 1993. Ex Jean-Pierre Righetti Collection (Ferpicloz).

268. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (33mm, 14.37 g, 12h). Dated RY 8 (AD 123/124). [ΑΥΤ KAI] ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙ[Α CЄΒ], radiate bust right, wearing aegis / Euthenia reclining left on androsphinx, holding two grain ears with her right hand, leaning on androsphinx with her left arm; L H (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 1706 var. (position of date), 1716 & 7639 var. (same); K&G 32.266; RPC III 5450/9 (this coin – mistakenly identified as Dattari 7639); Emmett 969.8 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 256 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 24d (this coin – illustrated). Good VF, brown surfaces with touches of green. Exceptional for the issue. The authors of RPC cite nine specimens for this very rare type. ($1000) Ex Tony Hardy Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 67, 22 September 2004), lot 1168.

When this very rare coin appeared in our Auction 67, we commented: “The module is that of the standard Alexandrian drachm, but the weight is more in keeping with a hemidrachm.”

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269.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Hemidrachm (31mm, 15.45 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC Є VCЄB, radiate head right / Demeter standing facing, head left, holding two grain ears with her right hand and a long torch with her left; L Δ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 2507 & 8374; K&G 35.99; Emmett 1715.4 (R2); Curtis, “The Coinage of Roman Egypt: A Survey” (reprinted from The Numismatist, January-August 1956), Pl. XV (this coin’s reverse illustrated); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 257 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 37e (this coin). Good VF, thick green patina with areas of reddish brown. Rare, and exceptional for the issue. Only two other examples, both with a radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust, have appeared at auction since 2000. ($1000) Ex West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1175 (further pedigree given to Münzen und Medaillen AG XI is erroneous); Col. James W. Curtis Collection.

270.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Hemidrachm (29mm, 14.98 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). [AV]T K T AIΛ A∆[P] ANTωNIN[OC Є VC]ЄB, radiate head right / Isis Pharia sailing right, holding a sistrum with her right hand and a billowing sail with both of her hands; [L] Є (date) across field. Köln 1396 (same dies); Dattari (Savio) 2664 var. (position of date); K&G 35.170; Emmett 1724.5 (R3); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 258 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 45b (this coin). Good VF, attractive reddish brown patina with touches of green. Very rare variety, with only three examples, including this coin, appearing at auction since 2000. ($750) Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 406 (25 April 2012), lot 632.

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Unique Marcus Aurelius Hemidrachm

271.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ Hemidrachm(?) (27mm, 14.37 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 164/165). [Μ AV] ΡΗΛΙΟC ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC CЄ, radiate and draped bust right / Griffin, as Nemesis, seated left with right forepaw on wheel; L Є (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3592 (this coin – reverse illustrated on pl. XXXII); K&G 37.253 (this coin illustrated); Emmett 2204.5 (R5 – citing this coin); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 260 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 52a (this coin – illustrated). Good VF, attractive dark brown patina with traces of red, holed in antiquity. Unique. ($1000) Ex Kölner Münzkabinett 67 (12 November 1997), lot 638; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3592.

While the diameter is slightly short for a hemidrachm, the weight conforms with the average for the denomination.

Extremely Rare – One of Just Two Known

272.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ Hemidrachm (29mm, 15.93 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 165/166). Μ AV[ΡΗΛΙΟC] ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC, radiate bust right, slight drapery / [Є]VΘH NIA, diademed(?) and draped bust right of Euthenia; before, cornucopia with grain ears protruding; ς/L (date) to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; Emmett –; Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 259 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 53a (this coin – illustrated). Good VF, dark green patina with touches of green, minor roughness. Extremely rare, with only two specimens known. ($1000) Ex Carlo Fontana Collection (Finarte Casa D’Aste 995, 26 November 1996), lot 958, purchased from Mario Ratto, Milan, 1957; Spina Collection.

273.

Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Diobol (23mm, 9.78 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 162/163). Λ AVΛ[ΙΟC] (sic) OYHPΟC CЄB, radiate bust right, slight drapery / Tyche standing facing, head left, holding a rudder with her right hand and a cornucopia with her left; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9510; K&G –; Emmett 2266.3 (R5 – citing Dattari 9510); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 261 (this coin); Staffieri, “La ‘corona radiata’ sui ritratti dei bronzi imperiali alessandrini con catalogo regionata” (NACQT Vol. XLII, Lugano, 2013), pp. 121-144, 62a (this coin – illustrated). VF, dark brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare, with only two specimens known. ($750) Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 132.

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