Extremely Rare Domitian Tetradrachm
Illustrated in RPC

CNG 100, Lot: 1778. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitian. AD 81-96. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.91 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 82/3). AYTOK KAIΣAPOΣ ΔOMITIANOY ΣЄB, laureate head right / ETOYΣ ΔEYTEPOY, Athena Promachus standing right, holding spear and shield. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 445 & 6719; K&G 24.1; RPC II 2479 and note 35 (this coin, illustrated); Emmett 238.2. Good VF, dark gray-brown patina. Extremely rare.

From the Syracuse Collection. Ex Empire Coins 8 (17 December 1987), lot 382.

All of Domitian’s tetradrachms are extremely rare, and this coin is not an exception. RPC cites this coin, ex Empire Coins 8, and Dattari 445 (= Emmett 238.2). Dattari had a second example photographed in the Savio plates, Dattari 6719, which brings the known examples up to three. Another interesting aspect of this coin is that the regnal year (2) is completely spelled out in Greek.