EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 10.99 g, 11h). Dated RY 4 (AD 163/4). Near VF.

Electronic Auction 560
Lot: 508. Estimated: $ 200

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Billon

Sold For $ 275. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 10.99 g, 11h). Dated RY 4 (AD 163/4). Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Radiate and draped bust of Serapis-Pantheos right, wearing calathus and horn of Ammon; to right, serpent-entwined club; L Δ (date) across field. Köln 2147 var. (bust); Dattari (Savio) 3672 var. (same); K&G 39.76 var. (same); RPC IV.4 2612; Emmett 2360.4. Red toning, flan cracks, light roughness. Near VF. Struck on a broad flan, high silver content. Extremely rare, only one recorded in RPC.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Nilus Coins, 17 October 2004.

Serapis was a syncretic god, combining Hellenistic Greek and Egyptian religious beliefs. His name is of Egyptian origin and derives from a synthesis of Ausar (Greek, Osiris), the Egyptian god of the Underworld, and Hapi (Greek, Apis), a manifestation of the god Ptah. Under the Ptolemies, Serapis became the chief tutelary god and the subject of a royally-sponsored cult, whose emphasis on an afterlife made the worship of Serapis one of the more popular mystery cults. His immense popularity soon extended his creation as Serapis-Pantheos, a hybrid deity incorporating other divine elements. In Alexandria, a large temple complex, called the Serapeum was constructed and remained highly patronized well into the fourth century AD. Shortly after the imperial decree of AD 391, officially declaring pagan temples closed, the Serapeum was besieged, plundered, and destroyed.

Closing Date and Time: 17 April 2024 at 12:49:00 ET.

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