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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;David Atherton, post: 8240434, member: 82616&quot;]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.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1450356[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>Domitian</b></p><p>Æ Dichalkon, 2.00g</p><p>Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD</p><p>Obv: No legend; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.</p><p>Rev: LΙΑ; Ibis</p><p>RPC 2744. Emmett 338.11. Dattari-Savio 614.</p><p>Acquired from Praefectus Coins, February 2022. Ex Leu Numismatik Web Auction 18, 18 December 2021, lot 2204.</p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1450357[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you for looking![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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