335, Lot: 420. Estimate $150. Sold for $180. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Drachm (35mm, 27.00 g, 12h). Dated RY 15 (AD130/1). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Hadrian standing left, holding scepter, greeted by Alexandria, clad in elephant skin headdress, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears and kissing emperor’s extended hand; L–IE (date) across field. Köln 1034; Dattari (Savio) 1610; K&G 32.509; Emmett 964. Fine, brown surfaces.
An extensive series of billon and bronze issues commemorates Hadrian’s triumphant tour of Egypt in AD 130. The trip was marred by the tragic and mysterious death of Hadrian’s young companion, Antinous, on their boat trip up the Nile.