I recently added 2 new tetradrachms from Alexandria...I've just started getting into these this year after seeing so many posted here, and I really like these two new additions. The first coin is of Commodus from the Dattari Collection, and it has a very interesting reverse. Commodus, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm,(24.2mm., 10.19g), circa 183-185 (RY 24 of Marcus Aurelius), Laureate head of Commodus, right/ Rev. Commodus, in priestly attire, standing left before bust of Serapis set on low cippus, sacrificing and dropping incense over lighted altar, L-K-Δ. RPC Online 16005, Dattari-Savio Pl. 207, 9553 (this coin) From the Dattari Collection I especially like the image of Commodus making a sacrifice to Serapis. It's interesting to see Commodus worshipping anyone other than, uh, himself. For political reasons, he may have been trying to show off that he was down with the trendy Eastern gods, and that he had their protection. I was also very happy to add one from the Dattari collection...unlike many famous collections, not all of his coins were in the best of shape (this one certainly isn't), but he found the beauty in all of them. My other recent addition is of Hadrian...great portrait on this one. Hadrian, Egypt, Alexandria, BI Tetradrachm, circa 136-137 (year 21), (24.5mm., 13.20g). Laureate head of Hadrian, right/ Rev. Demeter wearing peplos standing left; holding corn-ears and sceptre. My Roman Alexandria "collection" can still fit in one hand, but I definitely plan to keep adding to it. Please share your Alexandrians of Commodus, Hadrian, Serapis, or anything else you'd like to add!
The only Alexandrian I have of this time period is this one of Faustina II: Faustina Jr, AD 161-175. Billon Tetradrachm, 13.82 g, 23.2 mm. Alexandria, AD 148/9. Obv: ΦΑΥCΤΙΝΑ CЄΒΑCΤΗ, pearl-diademed and draped bust, right. Rev: L ΔѠΔЄΚΑΤΟΥ (regnal year 12 of Antoninus Pius), Dikaiosyne seated left, holding scales and cornucopiae. Refs: Köln 1944; Dattari 3238; BMC 1317; Emmett 1938.
I do like the Commodus but am not completely convinced that the figure doing the sacrifice is Commodus rather than some priest. Experts frequently declare the ID of statues that I can not accept so you might just say I am a skeptic. Mine is likely L KE due to a die link with a better coin in RPC online: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/14525 Mine is doublestruck, lacks the E due to centering and is about what you expect from an Alexandrian tet of that era. I enjoy my Alexandrian coins but many ask questions I can not answer.
https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/volumes It just struck me that some might know know of the above link and might enjoy looking at all those coins.
Nice coins, everyone. Here's my only Commodus tet: Egypt Potin Tetradrachm Commodus Year 30 (189/190 A.D.) Alexandria Mint Laureate head right, MAKOMANTWCEBEVCEB / ΠP O NOIA L-Λ, Pronoia std. left, right hand raised, sceptre in left. Milne 2691; Koln 2249; Curtis 839; Emmett 2554. (10.91 grams / 24 mm)
All great examples, thanks for sharing. I really like that double-strike on the reverse of yours, Doug. It almost looks like two totally different faces. I hope that at least one of them really is Commodus. Good point that we should be a little skeptical, I do often wonder how the experts make some of these identifications.
Both are very nice, congrats! I have that Commodus reverse type on my want list, and the Dattari provenance you have for yours is always a bonus. A few years ago, when CNG was dispersing the Hermanubis Collection, and I wanted to pick up at least a couple from the sales, a Hadrian and a Commodus were what I ended up with. HADRIAN Billon Tetradrachm. 13.36g, 25mm. EGYPT, Alexandria, RY 11 (AD 126/127). Dattari (Savio) 1383; BMC 583 (same obv die); RPC Online temp #5649; Emmett 852.11. O: AΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ СƐΒ, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: L ΕΝ – ΔΕΚΑΤΟΥ, Radiate and draped bust of Helios right. Ex Hermanubis Collection COMMODUS Billon Tetradrachm. 12.96g, 25.2mm. EGYPT, Alexandria, RY 27 (AD 186/7). Dattari (Savio) 3900; RPC Online temp #14204; Emmett 2568.27. O: Laureate head of Commodus right. R: Head of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing solar disk and horn; L K-Z (date) across field. Ex Hermanubis Collection
Mint workmanship was at a low during the reign of Commodus, which is unfortunate because he issued some interesting coins. @Shea19's Commodus is much nicer than most coins from his reign, and it is an interesting type. Here's a recently acquired tet I hadn't shown-- a budget-minded coin from one of Savoca's Blue auctions: EGYPT, Alexandria. Commodus Regnal year 30 (189-90 CE) Billon tetradrachm, 25 mm, 12.3 gm Obv: laureate head right Rev: Serapis standing left, holding someting (taenia?) in his right hand; fountain in right field; [L] - Λ above Ref: Emmett 2556.30
Pictured below is my only Hadrian Tet from Alexandria, Egypt. It's illustrated in David Vagi's book "Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, Volume Two: Coinage", page 351.
Here is another example of Commodus/Zeus Ammon: 25-24 mm. 10.44 grams. Year 23 = 182/3. Geissen volume 3, 2225. Forschner 747-8 for type (but year 27). Sear II 5913. Emmett 2568.
