EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 11.78 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 142/3). Near VF.

Electronic Auction 560
Lot: 496. Estimated: $ 150

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Billon

Sold For $ 800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 11.78 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 142/3). Laureate head left / ΑΙⲰΝ, Phoenix, crowned with nimbus, standing right; L ς (date) across field. Köln 1426; Dattari (Savio) 2433; K&G 35.181; RPC IV.4 609; Emmett 1419.6. Toned, porosity, spots of verdigris, edge roughness. Near VF. Rare.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions IV, 21 September 1988), lot 288.

The word ΑΙⲰΝ means life or generation; AD 139 marked the renewal of the Great Sothic Cycle, a cycle of 1461 years beginning when the star Sothis (Sirius) rises on the same point on the horizon as the sun. This tetradrachm type was initially minted in year 2 (AD 138/139), but was reintroduced again for year 6 of Pius’ reign.

Closing Date and Time: 17 April 2024 at 12:45:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.