Happy New Year!!

The Alexandrian calendar used during the time of coinage of Roman Egypt began on the 1st of Thoth, which equates to August 29th of the Julian calendar (on the 30th the year following a leap year).

So...

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Post a few of your favorite Alexandrians or other related material .


EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian. Regnal year 10, CE 90/91. Æ diobol (25mm, 10.86 g, 12h). AVT KAICAP ΔΟ ΜΙΤ CEB ΓΕΡΜ, laureate head right / Agathodaemon serpent, wearing the skhent crown (emblematic of upper and lower Egypt), on horseback galloping left; L I (date) below. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G 24.109; RPC II 2585; SNG Copenhagen 214; Emmett 277.10 (R5).

Ex Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection. Ex West Coast/Lloyd Beauchaine Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 41, 19 March 1997), lot 1110; Classical Numismatic Review Vol. XVI, No. 1 (January 1991), lot 316; Numismatic Fine Arts Fall Mail Bid Sale (18 October 1990), lot 2365.

Appearances: Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 39 (this coin). Obverse illustrated in Emmett as the header for the Domitian section, p. 24 (this coin); fully illustrated in Emmett, p. 26 (this coin, discussing the unusual reverse).


EGYPT, Alexandria. Marcus Aurelius as Caesar
AE obol, 20.5 mm, 6.0 gm. Alexandria.
Year 15 (CE 151/2)
Obv: MAVPHΛICKAICAP; bust right, bare head
Rev: Sphinx reclining right; LIE (date) above in left field
Ref: Emmett 1919.15, R5; Dattari 3221; RPC IV online 15684


EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian
year 11, CE 126/7
billon tetradrachm, 26 mm, 12.6 gm
Obv: AVTKAITPAI AΔPIACEB; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
Rev: L ENΔ EKATOV: Canopus of Osiris right
Ref: Emmett 827.11, R3; Milne 1205

 

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Happy new Year. Here are some Faustina IIs from Alexandria:

Faustina II
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: ΦAVCTINA CEBACTH, draped bust right
Rev.: L - IΘ = year 19 (AD 155/156 ), Draped figure of Serapis, seated on high backed throne to left, holding long sceptre in his left hand and extending his right to touch Kerberos
Billon, 11.48g, 22mm
Ref.: Dattari 3267, RPC IV.4, 14413 (temporary)


Faustina II
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: ΦAYCTIN CEBACTH (legend starting at 1 o'clock), diademed, draped bust right
Rev.. L - I - Θ = year19 (155/156), bust of Nilus right, cornucopiae with small genius in front
Billon, 12.0g, 22mm
Ref.: Dattari 3257


Faustina II
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: ΦΑVϹΤΙΝΑ ϹƐΒΑϹΤΗ, draped bust right
Rev.: draped bust of Selene, right, crowned with crescent on taenia, torch over shoulder
L – H = year 8 of Marcus Aurelius (167/168).
Billon, 12.88, 21mm
Ref.: RPC IV.4, 16994 (temporary) = this coin


Faustina II
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: ΦAVCTINA CEBACTH, draped bust right
Rev.: Isis Pharia standing, r., holding sail and sistrum, L - I - Z = year 17 of Antoninus Pius (AD 153/154).
Billon, 11.75g, 22mm
Ref.: Dattari 3250

Faustina II
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: ΦAYCTIN CEBACTH (legend starting at 1 o'clock), draped bust right
Rev.. Eagle standing right, head left, wreath in beak
LIΔ= year 14 of Antoninus Pius (150/151).
Billon, 13.13g, 22.6mm
Ref.: Dattari 3275, Geißen 1951


And here is the rest of my Alexandrian coins:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5206

 

Excellent historical reminder @TIF ! Happy new year\1st of Thoth!!!


Augustus
Ae Diobol,
24 MM 8.65 GR
AE Diobol Year 41 = 11/12 AD, Egypt, City of Alexandria. Head R. Rs. LMA in the oak wreath. L.

Livia
Æ23 of Alexandria, Egypt.
Year 41 (= AD 11/12).
Draped bust r. / Oak-wreath
enclosing date. RPC 5061.
10.04g, 24mm

 

My first alexandrian is in the mail and I have decided not to post it yet, but I'm sure he would be celebrating the new year with @TIF your Hadrian personally, at least until he ended up in a canopic jar... or the nile.

 

I'm so out of touch with day and date that I thought today was the 29th . Oh well, the post is a couple of days early .

 

Here is one my favorites. I had to get it after seeing TIF's canopic theme coins.


Hadrian, A.D. 133- 134
Alexandria, Egypt, Year 18
Ӕ Drachm, 31mm, 22.04 gm
Obverse: Laureate head of Hadrian right.
Reverse: Two canopic jars of Isis and Osiris
References: Emmet 933


PTOLEMAIC KINGS of EGYPT. Ptolemy I As Satrap. 321-305 BC.
AR Tetradrachm, 15.44 gm, 32mm
Obverse: Diademed head of Alexander III wearing elephant skin headdress.
Reverse: Athena Alkedemos advancing right; AΛEΞANΔPOY to left, Corinthian helmet, monogram, and eagle standing on thunderbolt to right.
References: Svoronos 164; SNG Lockett 3393; Weber 8226

John

 

Happy Early Thoth Day!!!

Not the best but the newest Alexandrian in my collection.




Hadrian. 117-138 AD.

Æ Drachm, 36mm, 22.1g, 11h; Alexandria, Year 15 = 130/1 AD.

Obverse: AVT KAI - TRAI AΔPIA CEB; Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed right.

Reverse: Alexandria kisses the hand of the arriving emperor; he is laureate and togate, stands left, extends right hand to Alexandria and holds scepter in left; she stands right wearing elephant skin headdress, guides the emperor's hand to her mouth with her right hand, and holds two wheat ears downwards with her left hand; in lower field L - IE.

Reference: Cologne 1034; Emmett 964/15.

 

Great post...I always love seeing that snake cowboy. Here are my newest Alexandrians:


Trajan, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm (24.4mm., 12.72g). Circa 116-117 AD (year 20). Radiate bust r., with aegis, in front, star./ Rev. Dikaiosyne standing facing, head l., holding scales and cornucopia;in l. field, LK. RPC 4916. Dattari 659.

Vespasian, Alexandria,BI Tetradrachm circa 69-70 AD(year 2), (24.1mm., 12.17g.) Laureate head of Vespasian r., in front, LB./ Rev. Nike advancing l. holding wreath and palm. RPC 2412


Hadrian, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm (24 mm, 12.68 g), RY 22 = 137/8 AD. Laureate head of Hadrian r./ Rev. ΠΡΟΝΟΙΑ / L ΚΒ Pronoia standing front, head to l., holding Phoenix in her right hand and scepter in her left. RPC III 6252.

 

This guy kinda started the coin revolution in Egypt in his home town of Alexandria:

THE MAIN HOMEY PTOLOMY I


Egypt Ptolemy I Soter Tet Delta bankers marks

 

A few of my favorites:


Maximinus Thrax, Ruled 235-238 AD
BL Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria
Struck 235/236 AD
Obverse: AVTO MAΞIMINOC ЄV CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond; before, LB, RY 2.
References: Emmett 3289, Dattari 4581
Size: 24mm, 13.34g
Ex: Roma E-Sale 41 (2/12/17), Lot #539;
Holding History Auction 1 (6/1/19), Lot #214


Gallienus, Ruled 253-268 AD
BL Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria
Struck 263/264 AD
Obverse: AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae; L IA (retrograde) in left field, RY 11.
References: Emmett 3836, Dattari 5267
Size: 24mm, 9.69g
Notes: Fascinating retrograde date.


Vespasian, Ruled 69-79 AD
BL Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria
Struck Year 2, 69/70 AD
Obverse: AVTOK KAIΣ ΣEBA OVEΣΠAΣIANOV, laureate head right, date LB (year 2 = 69/70 AD) in lower-right field.
Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm.
References: Emmett 205, Dattari 360


Maximianus, Ruled 286-305 AD (First Reign)
AE Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria
Struck Year 7, 291/292 AD
Obverse: ΜΑΞΙΜΙΑΝΟC CЄΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: Hercules standing facing, head left, leaning on club with right hand, apples of the Hesperides in left hand, lion’s skin over left arm, date L-Z (year 7 = 291/292 AD) across fields, B in exergue (officina).
References: Emmett 4131, Milne 5027 var, Curtis 2086 var
Size: 19mm, 8.2g


Gallienus, Ruled 253-268 AD
BL Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria
Struck 261/262 AD
Obverse: AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from front, slight drapery on left shoulder.
Reverse: Eagle standing left, holding wreath in beak, palm over shoulder, ENATOV to left and L to right (year 9=261/262 AD).
References: Emmett 3802, Dattari 5286, Köln 2908

 

LIVIA


RI Alexandria Livia, w Augustus Diobol CE 1-2 Æ 23.5mm 7.46g. Rev. Athena holding Nike Sheild ex Dattari-Savio Pl. 3 60-this coin RPC pag. 692-5-this coin

 

I wish I could post my favorite Alexandrian but TIF already posted it. I suppose that is appropriate since the the galloping jockey-snake IS her coin not mine and I should stick to my coins even if hers is a favorite. That leaves me with a few 'also ran' coins:

My favorite that actually is in MY collection is the Julia Domna LK year 20 tetradrachm with Caracalla and Geta shaking hands. Year 20 started August 29 (?How do we know which years were leap years in that system?). Geta was murdered in late December of that year so I am certain production of this type dates to the last part of what we call 211AD. To my knowledge, this is the only coin type showing the brothers together after the death of their father in April of that year. Both boys must have found this coin repulsive. I suspect that someone at the mint suffered if Caracalla became aware of the coin. To ad realism, note that the boy at the right seems to have his left hand on his sword. This is my most expensive coin because I had to but a large lot of Alexandrians to get it. In fact, I do like many of the other coins in that lot but I bought it for this one.


Another coin from that group is my only Severan AE drachm. This is Caracalla year 22 LKB with an ordinary Zeus reverse. I wish this might have been struck in support of his visit to Alexandria that included his massacre of citizens there but that is usually dated a year or two after this coin. One can not be too picky when buying Severan drachms. All are rare.
https://www.quora.com/Did-Caracalla...erious-was-happening-like-a-planned-rebellion


From happier days, LB year 2, is this Domna tetradrachm with Nike in quadriga reverse I bought years ago when provenances were neither as easy to track nor fashionable so the auction house neglected to mention it is ex. Dattari/Savio. Thank you, kind cataloger.


Another favorite of mine is the cheapest coin of Alexandria I have bought in recent years. It is Carinus year 3 but the well known dealer cared more for the fact that is was overcleaned a bit than that it was a legionary type (LEG B TPAI) which made it a must have. That is why I prefer coin shows to auctions. Had this coin been in a public auction, I could not have afforded it. Everyone knows I am picky in a different way than is fashionable so I'm glad to have it.


I wish I had recent acquisitions but cancelled shows and ridiculous prices lately have made 2020 a cheap year for me. I apologize to those who have seen the above and my other Alexandrians far too often.

 

That is what we are here for!

 

A couple of coins of Licinius minted in Alexandria...

 

Some of my nicest Alexandria coins.



Alexandria Egypt, AE drachm Ptolemaeus IV (221-205). Alexandria. Obv. Zeus. Rev. eagle looking t.l. Delta Iota between legs. 40 mm, 67.12 gr. Cornucopia series 5. Svoronos 1125. I bought it about 35 years ago, impressed with its sheer size - at that time I wasn't collecting coins.



Maximinus II Daia 307-311, AE follis Alexandria. Obv. Head to the right. Rev. Genius standing facing, head left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys across left shoulder, liquors flowing from patera in right hand, cornucopiae in left. K in left field, gamma / P in right field. 25,5 mm, 6.61 gr. Ex-Tom Cederlind. Bought it in 2016 because I was impressed by the artistic portrait.

But this is the Real Thing Alexandrian:



AE13 dichalkon Trajan 98-117. Alexandria. RY 17 (=113/4). Obv. Laureate head right. Rev. Hem-hem crown of Harpokrates; L I-Z in field below. 13 mm, 1.18 gr.




Hadrianus 117-138, Roman Egypt. Mint Alexandria. AE23, AD 133-134. Diobol. Obv.: Laureate head right. Rev.: Apis bull to the right on ground line, altar right. Date IH = 18. 23 mm, 8.78 gr.



Not a beauty, but a very nice beast! Like many Roman Alexandrian coins. We had quite an interesting discussion about this drachm on CoinTalk last year.

Marcus Aurelius (161-180). Alexandria, Egypt. AE drachm. Obv. Laureate head to right. Rev. Eagle standing with wings open, head left, wreath in beak. 31 mm, 19.24 gr. Emmett 2108?

 

And then there are the third century tetradrachms, that I like quite a lot.



Tetradrachm Gordian III (238-244) as Caesar, Alexandria. Year 1 (=238). Obv. Bare head, draped and cuirassed, t.r. Rev. Nike seated t.l., holding wreath, year A. Greyish billon with slightly silvery patina. 21 mm, 12.23 gr. Obviously, Gordian was caesar under Balbinus and Pupienus for a very short time - about three months, so this is a rare coin.



On the reverse is a lectisternium, it looks like a rowing boat in the form of a coffin, but the Romans were quite serious about this.
Tetradrachm Gordian III (238-244), Alexandria. Dated RY Z (7, = 244). Obv. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Tyche reclining left on lectisternium (couch), holding rudder, resting elbow on pillow and leaning head backwards on hand. 22 mm, 13.89 gr. Emmett 3430.7.



Tetradrachm Elagabalus (218-222), Alexandria. Potin. Dated RY 5 (221/222). Obv. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev. Conjoined busts of Helios, draped and wearing radiate crown, and Selene, draped and wearing crescent-moon crown, right; L Є (date) to lower right. 22.5 mm, 12.62 gr. Emmett 2933.5. RPC 10149 (13 pcs, all pictured worse than mine).
On the reverse, a pair, one looking up, the other one down: this is a highly developed realistic design involving movement and contrast (characteristics of Baroque!), whereas most often Roman numismatic art is static.