EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34.5mm, 23.62 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 580. Estimated: $ 1 500

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 6 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34.5mm, 23.62 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/2). AVT K T AIΛ A∆P ANTωNINOC ЄVCЄB, laureate head right / Bearded man (Reaper) standing right, wearing short kirtle (tunic) and pileus, with his right hand he cuts three grain stalks with a sickle, holding them with his left; L Є (date) across field. Köln 1417 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 2986 RPC IV.4 530.17 = Figari & Mosconi 751 (this coin); K&G 35.164; Emmett 1643.5. Dark brown surfaces, minor porosity, short edge splits, smoothing on reverse. Good VF. Rare.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Classical Numismatic Group inventory 253505, November 2003. Ex Nomisma S.p.A. 25 (21 September 2003), lot 138; Giovanni Dattari (†1923) Collection.

This rare Egyptian drachm commemorates the importance of Egypt as the breadbasket of the empire.

Since the beginning of ancient history, Egypt was a major agricultural power. The combination of climate and the regular gentle flooding of the Nile produced a fertile land that allowed for two crops of grain annually. As a result, the Nile Valley became strategically important and immensely wealthy. While it remained independent for many centuries, the allure of its wealth and ability to supply large quantities of grain made it a prime target for empire-builders. With the collapse of the Ptolemaic kingdom after Actium in 31 BC, Egypt became an imperial province. Governed by the equestrian praefectus Aegypti, a personal appointee of the emperor, who had at times two or three legions at his disposal, insured that the huge grain freighters regularly departed the seaport of Alexandria for the imperial port of Ostia. Rome, no longer able to feed itself from the surrounding countryside, relied heavily on the constant importation of grain for its survival, and any shortfall could have serious social and political implications. When Antoninus Pius became emperor, he set about completing several of Hadrian’s unfinished projects, as well as beginning several of his own, which focused on maintaining the flow of grain to the capital. He ordered a renovation of the port of Alexandria, and when the grain supply was interrupted, he made up for the shortfall by purchasing grain elsewhere with funds from his own personal fortune.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Two – Lot 302-613 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 13 January 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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