My great grandmother gave this to my mother during World War II in Italy. Can Anyone tell me anything about it?
Sure! It's a coin struck in ancient Egypt under the reign of Roman emperor Diocletian. It's a nice coin Here's the full attribution: EGYPT, Alexandria. Diocletian potin tetradrachm struck regnal year 2 (AD 285/6) Obverse: AVΓOVAΛΔIoKΛHTIANOCCEB; laureate bust right Reverse: the personification of Alexandria standing left, holding a sceptre and the head of Serapis; L - B across fields Reference: Emmett 4025.2 Here are a few similar coins for sale on Vcoins, in case your next question is "what's it worth"
It's relatively common and worth perhaps 25-60 USD, depending on whether you sell it to a dealer or to a collector.
Common and inexpensive doesn't mean it's undesirable. I love these coins of Roman Egypt and like many others, am an avid collector! Yours is relatively nice for the type. What a wonderful heirloom!
Thanks again. I treasure it. My mother got it from her grandma the day Mussolini was hung as she was preparing to stow away on a ship to America. It’s very sentimental to me.
What a great heirloom, and very nice for the type! In some sense it's actually better that it's not a high value, no reason to ever sell it
