EGYPT, Alexandria. Aelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.83 g, 12h). Struck AD 137. [Λ] AIΛIOC KAICA[P], bareheaded bust right, slight drapery / ΔHM ЄΞ OV C VΠAT B •, Homonoia standing facing, head left, holding a patera with her right hand over a lighted and garlanded altar to left, and cradling a cornucopia with her left arm. Köln 1271; Dattari (Savio) 7989; K&G 34.2; Emmett 1350; Kellner p. 108, pl. 6, Abb. 21 (this coin). Good VF, attractive even gray-brown surfaces.
Ex Dr. Hans Steger Collection (Münzhandlung Basel 6, 18 March 1936), lot 590.
An interesting dating convention for the time, this series of tetradrachms was issued carrying Aelius’ titles (and subsequent dates) as tribune and consul, the latter for the second time. Other series from Alexandria generally involved the dating of the coins with respect to the emperor’s regnal year rather than the conventions employed here.
