The zoological diversity on the Alexandrian issues is quite breathtaking. Even on the tiniest bronzes the Alexandrian engravers put their skills to the test to render a miniature zoo. This tiny dichalkon measuring 13mm depicts an ibis strolling through the marshes. Domitian Æ Dichalkon, 2.00g Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD Obv: No legend; Head of Domitian, laureate, r. Rev: LΙΑ; Ibis RPC 2744. Emmett 338.11. Dattari-Savio 614. Acquired from Praefectus Coins, February 2022. Ex Leu Numismatik Web Auction 18, 18 December 2021, lot 2204. A series of small bronzes were struck at Alexandria without obverse inscriptions. Identifying which reign they belong to is down to identifying the obverse portrait and the regnal year date on the reverse. We are on firm ground regarding this dichalkon with a portrait of Domitian on the obverse and dated regnal year 11 on the reverse. This ethnic type features an ibis, sacred to the Egyptian god of wisdom and learning Thoth. The African sacred ibis went extinct in Egypt around 1850. There are current plans attempting to reintroduce the species to the region. Thank you for looking!
The cult center of Thoth was hermopolis magna, now known as el-ashmunein. The only remnant of the temple today are the large statues of baboons flanking the entrance. (Another symbol of Thoth). Across the river Hadrian founded Antinopolis. When I was there the guards of the archaeological site shared a shisha pipe smoke and were clear that their boss was Zahi Hawass. They also warned me not to go to Sheik el-ibada- Antinopolis because of the presence of evil Jinn.
Wonderful! And all other superlatives. You're fortunate to have seen it before someone else (like me!) could rush in to buy it!
Perhaps the most famous ibis-containing coin is this Hadrian travel series denarius. Mine's a fourée. Hadrian, AD 117-138. Roman fourée denarius, 2.98 g, 17.7 mm, 7 h. Rome mint copy, ca. AD 138. Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head, right. Rev: AEGYPTOS, Egypt reclining left, holding sistrum and leaning on basket, around which a snake coils. Ibis on left, facing right. Refs: RIC 296, BMCRE 801-804, RCV 3456, Strack 294. Notes: Underweight. The metal surface has bubbled away from the core and cracked in front of the portrait on the obverse and above the sistrum and in the exergue on the reverse, revealing it to be a fourée.
It's a really charming coin. David's collection is really super , and I could wish only to have half the Neronian equivalent.
Very nice! I have a fondness for wading birds. There's a blue heron that frequents a pond near my house I enjoy seeing.
There is a marsh next to a Target store here in the Bay Area. A couple of days back I saw a great white heron standing in the brackish water. Reminded me of an ibis with its long beak.
Your Ibis is bigger than my Ibis because it didn't have to share space with that lounging lady. It might be about the size of Ryro's denarius bird. I wonder why the sestertius got a pillar and the denarius did not. Oh, I almost forgot this one. I don't recall why I bought it considering the centering.
