Finding Alexandrian bronze coins in decent condition can often be a difficult task. Luckily, my latest addition defies the odds! Vespasian Æ Diobol, 6.80g Alexandria mint, 76-77 AD Obv: ΑΥΤΟΚ ΚΑΙΣΑΡΟΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΥ; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ, L ΕΝΑΤ; Bust of Alexandria, r. RPC 2459 (20 spec.). Emmett 215.9. Dattari-Savio 370. Acquired from Marc Breitsprecher, February 2022. This regnal year 9 diobol is from the last issue of coinage struck for Vespasian at Alexandria. The reverse features the personification of the city of Alexandria wearing an elephant headdress, a common type for the mint during the Flavian era. The elephant headdress was associated with Alexander the Great because of his conquest of India. NB: L ΕΝΑΤ = year 9. Thanks for looking!
Great coin! The reverse depicting Alexandria with an elephant headdress was already quite common under the Julio-Claudians, as with this example from Nero: Nero, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 12 (65/66 AD), Alexandria, Egypt Mint. Obv. Radiate bust of Nero with aegis, right, ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ / Rev. Bust of Alexandria, right, wearing elephant headdress, AYTO-KPA around, LIB [Year 12] in right field. RPC I Online 5289, Emmett 109.12, Milne 238 at p. 7 [Milne, J.G., Catalogue of Alexandrian Coins (Oxford 1933, reprint with supplement by Colin M. Kraay, 1971)], K&G 14.88. 20x23 mm., 12.11 g. I hadn't previously seen your explanation of the elephant headdress on the personification of Alexandria. Are we to assume from this that what's portrayed is supposed to be an Indian elephant rather than an African elephant? An elephant headdress is also often portrayed on personifications of Africa herself: are those, by contrast, supposed to be African elephants?
I doubt the Alexandrian engravers knew the difference between the two! But yes, one would assume the intent was for it to be an Indian elephant.
