Hi This one seems to be a tetradrachm from Alexandria Hard to guess ( for me ) the Emperor , maybe Probus or Claudius
Thanks all - its a start! I'll see what I can find using that info. So did you determine it was Alexandra mint based on the "L S" on the reverse? I think this coin is bronze- but I could be mistaken. The only tetradrachms I know of are silver (but I don't know much about it) How did you determine it is a tetradrachm?
There is a distinct look to Alexandrian 3rd century tets. I could tell before I saw any detail on the lettering. Take a look at quite a few and you will quickly learn how to identify them easily.
Here's a Probus that is looking close - maybe? http://www.menabdishvili.5u.com/Ptolemaic Egypt.html Probus, Egypt, Alexandria, Potin Tetradrachm, 280-281 AD Obverse: AK MAVR PROBOC CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right Reverse: LS, Eagle standing right, wings spread, wreath in beak Emmett 3982 18mm, 6.7gm
Here comes another one from the beginning of these tetradrachram - originally made of debased silver , they were base alloy in the 3rd century ) This one looks more silverish. Emperor is the infamous Nero :devil: but i love the eagle depiction on the reverse the L letter is the first letter for Year in Greek and the following is for the regnal year ( e.g. L A = regnal year 1 )
As a quick background, so you know why these had a distinctive look, Egypt had a separate monetary system. It was forbidden to use regular coinage there. The reason for this goes back to Octavian and Cleopatra. When Octavian won, he decreed that Egypt was his personal property, not property of Rome. This is how he financed himself, as did subsequent emperors. The emperors were much more willing to debase for profit coins from Egypt since the Romans would not see it, so they did. This is how tets in Egypt very quickly got debased, and ended up purely copper coins, but still being called tets. It also explains why they are distinctive.
I should have scrolled down further on that page I linked b/c this Diocletian one does look better IMO :smile DIOCLETIAN POTIN TETRADRACHM - ALEXANDRIA EGYPT__Eirene A BEAUTIFUL ALEXANDRIA EGYPT POTIN (Alloy of Bronze & Tin) TETRADRACHM OF DIOCLETIAN FROM 294 - 305 AD. BEAUTIFUL COLORING ON THIS COIN. THE SIZE IS 18 MM AND 8.22 GRAMS. OBVERSE – Laureate & Cuirassed bust right REVERSE – Eirene standing left holding olive branch & sceptre
