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Ancient Egypt
Coins of Egypt, and especially Tetradrachms issued in Alexandria, are often referenced by Dattari-Savio number in this blog. There is a very informative article from Giovanni Dattari and his collection by Lucia Carbone from the American Numismatic Society magazine in 2018. Here are a few examples of Egyptian coins - mostly from Roman Egypt, and with a few that date from Ptolemaic period.
Kings of Macedon, temp. Ptolemy Keraunos, 281-279 BC
Æ (20mm, 8.30g, 9h). Kassandreia mint
Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right
Rev: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt; AP monogram to upper left, ΠAP monogram to right
Ref: Psoma, Maroneia M305; HGC 3, –. VF, dark green patina, compact flan.
Note: this coin is conventionally attributed to a non-existant city of Paroreia in Macedon, see chapter 8 in S.E. Psoma, The Coins from Maroneia and the Classical City at Molyvoti: A Contribution to the History of Aegean Thrace (Athens, 2008).
Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right
Rev: Eagle standing right on thunderbolt; AP monogram to upper left, ΠAP monogram to right
Ref: Psoma, Maroneia M305; HGC 3, –. VF, dark green patina, compact flan.
Note: this coin is conventionally attributed to a non-existant city of Paroreia in Macedon, see chapter 8 in S.E. Psoma, The Coins from Maroneia and the Classical City at Molyvoti: A Contribution to the History of Aegean Thrace (Athens, 2008).
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphos (285-246 BC).
AR Tetradrachm, Ptolemais-Ake mint, struck circa 275-262/1 BC
Obv: Diademed head to right, [wearing aegis]
Rev: ΠΤΟΛEΜΑΙOΥ BAΣΙΛEΩΣ, eagle with closed wings standing to left on thunderbolt; ΠT over two monograms to left, Galatian shield to right
Ref: CPE 441; Svoronos 544; SNG Copenhagen 521 (Uncertain Phoenician mint)
Obv: Diademed head to right, [wearing aegis]
Rev: ΠΤΟΛEΜΑΙOΥ BAΣΙΛEΩΣ, eagle with closed wings standing to left on thunderbolt; ΠT over two monograms to left, Galatian shield to right
Ref: CPE 441; Svoronos 544; SNG Copenhagen 521 (Uncertain Phoenician mint)
Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Ptolemy V Epiphanes, 204-180 BC
Æ Alexandreia mint, Series 6E
Obv: Head of Isis right, wearing wreath of grain ears, and her hair in long curls
Rev: Eagle with open wings standing left on thunderbolt
Ref: Svoronos 1234; Faucher & Lorber Series 6E; SNG Copenhagen 247–8
Obv: Head of Isis right, wearing wreath of grain ears, and her hair in long curls
Rev: Eagle with open wings standing left on thunderbolt
Ref: Svoronos 1234; Faucher & Lorber Series 6E; SNG Copenhagen 247–8
Egypt, Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (Auletes), 80-58 BC
Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 14.00 g, 12 h), Alexandria, RY 7 = 75/4.
Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY
Rev: L Ζ - ΠA Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt.
Ref: Noeske 334; SNG Copenhagen 380; Svoronos 1854
Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY
Rev: L Ζ - ΠA Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt.
Ref: Noeske 334; SNG Copenhagen 380; Svoronos 1854
Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt, Kleopatra VII Thea Neotera. 51-30 BC.
Æ Diobol – 80 Drachmai (26.5mm, 18.65g, 1h). Alexandreia mint.
Obv: Diademed and draped bust right
Rev: BACIΛICCHC [KΛEOΠATPAC], eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π to right
Ref: Svoronos 1871; Weiser 183; SNG Copenhagen 419–21; Noeske 380–2
Obv: Diademed and draped bust right
Rev: BACIΛICCHC [KΛEOΠATPAC], eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π to right
Ref: Svoronos 1871; Weiser 183; SNG Copenhagen 419–21; Noeske 380–2
Egypt, Alexandria. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14.
Æ Diobol – 80 Drachmai (26.3mm, 19.58g, 12h). First series, struck circa 30-28 BC.
Obv: [ΘΕΟΥ ΥΙΟΥ],Bare head right
Rev: ΚΑΙCΑΡΟC ΑΥ[ΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟC]Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π to right.
Ref: Köln 1; Dattari (Savio) 2; K&G 2.5; RPC I 5001; Emmett 1
Obv: [ΘΕΟΥ ΥΙΟΥ],Bare head right
Rev: ΚΑΙCΑΡΟC ΑΥ[ΤΟΚΡΑΤΟΡΟC]Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; cornucopia to left, Π to right.
Ref: Köln 1; Dattari (Savio) 2; K&G 2.5; RPC I 5001; Emmett 1
Egypt Alexandria. Claudius. AD 41-54.
Æ Diobol, dated RY 11 (AD 50/1).
Obv: Laureate head right; L IA (date) below chin
Rev: AVTO KPA, bundle of four stalks of grain with winged caduceus.
Ref: Köln 100; Dattari (Savio) 141; K&G 12.70; RPC I 5182; Emmett 78.11.
Obv: Laureate head right; L IA (date) below chin
Rev: AVTO KPA, bundle of four stalks of grain with winged caduceus.
Ref: Köln 100; Dattari (Savio) 141; K&G 12.70; RPC I 5182; Emmett 78.11.
Egypt, Alexandria, Nero, AD 54-68
BI Tetradrachm, dated RY 12 (AD 65/6).
Obv: Radiate bust right, wearing aegis
Rev: AYTO KPA, draped bust right of Alexandria right, wearing elephant's skin headdress; L IB (date) before
Ref: Köln 172-4; Dattari (Savio) 204; K&G 14.88;
Obv: Radiate bust right, wearing aegis
Rev: AYTO KPA, draped bust right of Alexandria right, wearing elephant's skin headdress; L IB (date) before
Ref: Köln 172-4; Dattari (Savio) 204; K&G 14.88;
Egypt, Alexandria, Vespasian, AD 69-79, BI Tetradrachm
26mm, 12.63g, 12h, dated RY 3 (AD 70/1)
Obv: Laureate head right; Γ (regnal year 3) below chin
Rev: Alexandria standing left, wearing elephant skin headdress, holding wreath and lotus-tipped scepter
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 355; RPC II 2425; Emmett 202.3
Obv: Laureate head right; Γ (regnal year 3) below chin
Rev: Alexandria standing left, wearing elephant skin headdress, holding wreath and lotus-tipped scepter
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 355; RPC II 2425; Emmett 202.3
Egypt, Alexandria. Dattari. Hadrian, 117-138
Diobol circa 129-130 (year 14), Æ 24.00 mm., 7.38 g.
Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r.
Rev: Agathodaemon erect, r., crowned with pschent, enfolding caduceus and stalk of corn; in field, LIΔ.
Ref: RPC 5755.28 (this coin). Dattari-Savio Pl. 98, 7900 (this coin).
From the Dattari collection.
Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r.
Rev: Agathodaemon erect, r., crowned with pschent, enfolding caduceus and stalk of corn; in field, LIΔ.
Ref: RPC 5755.28 (this coin). Dattari-Savio Pl. 98, 7900 (this coin).
From the Dattari collection.
Egypt, Alexandria, Hadrian, AD 127/8
BI Tetradrachm, dated RY 12 = AD 127/8
Obv: AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: ΠATHP ΠATPIΔ[OC] (== Pater Patridos), clasped hands; L IB (date) above and below hands
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 1524
Obv: AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: ΠATHP ΠATPIΔ[OC] (== Pater Patridos), clasped hands; L IB (date) above and below hands
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 1524
Alexandria, Egypt, Hadrian, AD 117-138
Hadrian, Alexandria, Egypt, BI Tetradrachm, AD 117-138. RY 19 = AD 134/5
Obv: AVT KAIC TPAIAN AΔPIANOC CEB, laureate bust left, slight drapery on far shoulder
Rev: Bust of Nilus right, wearing taenia, slight drapery; cornucopiae behind his right shoulder; L ЄNNЄAKΔ (date) around
Obv: AVT KAIC TPAIAN AΔPIANOC CEB, laureate bust left, slight drapery on far shoulder
Rev: Bust of Nilus right, wearing taenia, slight drapery; cornucopiae behind his right shoulder; L ЄNNЄAKΔ (date) around
Egypt, Alexandria. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161.
BI Tetradrachm. Dated RY 12 of Antoninus Pius (AD 148/9).
Obv: Bare head right
Rev: Draped bust of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing solar disk; L ∆ω∆Є KATOV (date) around.
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 3187; K&G 37.14; RPC IV.4 Online 13626; Emmett 1869.12.
Obv: Bare head right
Rev: Draped bust of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing solar disk; L ∆ω∆Є KATOV (date) around.
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 3187; K&G 37.14; RPC IV.4 Online 13626; Emmett 1869.12.
Egypt, Alexandria, Commodus, AD 177-192
BI Tetradrachm (26mm, 12.11 g, 12h). Dated Regnal Year 24 (= 183/4 AD) of Marcus Aurelius
Obv: Laureate head of Commodus right
Rev: Bust of Nilus right, wearing taenia, slight drapery; cornucopia behind his right shoulder; L KΔ (date) across field
Ref: Köln 2216; Dattari (Savio) 3874; K&G 41.45; Emmett 2552.24
Obv: Laureate head of Commodus right
Rev: Bust of Nilus right, wearing taenia, slight drapery; cornucopia behind his right shoulder; L KΔ (date) across field
Ref: Köln 2216; Dattari (Savio) 3874; K&G 41.45; Emmett 2552.24
Faustina junior, daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius Tetradrachm circa AD 151-152 (year 15)
Billon 22.2mm., 12.27g.
Obv: draped bust right
Rev: Dikaiosyne standing, facing, head, l., holding scales and cornucopia; in field, LI-Ɛ
Ref: RPC 1328 (this coin cited), Geissen 1959, Dattari-Savio Pl. 170, 9081 (this coin), from the Dattari collection
Obv: draped bust right
Rev: Dikaiosyne standing, facing, head, l., holding scales and cornucopia; in field, LI-Ɛ
Ref: RPC 1328 (this coin cited), Geissen 1959, Dattari-Savio Pl. 170, 9081 (this coin), from the Dattari collection
Egypt, Alexandria, Julia Mamaea, Augusta, AD 222-235
Potin Tetradrachm, dated RY 11 of Severus Alexander (AD 231/232)
Obv: IOV MAMAIA CЄB MHTЄ CЄB K CT, draped bust right, wearing stephane
Rev: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; palm frond to right; L IA (date) to upper left
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 4521
Obv: IOV MAMAIA CЄB MHTЄ CЄB K CT, draped bust right, wearing stephane
Rev: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; palm frond to right; L IA (date) to upper left
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 4521
Egypt, Alexandria, Severus Alexander, AD 222-235.
Potin Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.39 g, 12h). Dated RY 13 (AD 233/234)
Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Dikaiosyne standing facing, head left, holding cornucopia and scales; L IΓ (date) to left, palm frond to right.
Ref: Köln 2486; Dattari (Savio) 4295; K&G 62.194; Emmett 3096.13.
Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Dikaiosyne standing facing, head left, holding cornucopia and scales; L IΓ (date) to left, palm frond to right.
Ref: Köln 2486; Dattari (Savio) 4295; K&G 62.194; Emmett 3096.13.
Egypt. Alexandria. Maximinus I Thrax AD 235-238.
Dated RY 4=AD 237/8 BITetradrachm Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond, L ∆ (date) to left.
Ref: Köln 2582; Dattari (Savio) 4584; Emmett 3288.
Rev: Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond, L ∆ (date) to left.
Ref: Köln 2582; Dattari (Savio) 4584; Emmett 3288.
Egypt, Alexandria, Valerian I, AD 253-260
Egypt, Alexandria, Valerian I, AD 253-260, Tetradrachm, dated RY 4 (AD 256/257)
Obv: A K Π ΛI OVAΛЄPIANOC ЄVЄV C, Laureate and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond; L Δ (date) across field
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 5165
Obv: A K Π ΛI OVAΛЄPIANOC ЄVЄV C, Laureate and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond; L Δ (date) across field
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 5165
Egypt, Alexandria, Valerian II, Caesar, AD 256-258Alexandria Varerian II.jpg
BI Tetradrachm , dated RY 4 of Valerian I and Gallienus (AD 256/7)
Obv: Π ΛIK KOP OVAΛEPIANOC KAIC CEB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Homonoia standing left, raising right hand, holding double cornucopia with left; L Δ (date) across field
Obv: Π ΛIK KOP OVAΛEPIANOC KAIC CEB, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Homonoia standing left, raising right hand, holding double cornucopia with left; L Δ (date) across field
Egypt, Alexandria, Gallienus
Egypt, Alexandria, Gallienus (AD 253-268), Tetradrachm, dated RY 7 of Valerian I & Gallienus (AD 259/260) Obv: A K Π ΛI OV ΓAΛΛIANOC EV EV C, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev: Alexandria standing left, wearing turreted crown, holding bust of Sarapis and scepter, L-Z (date)
Egypt, Alexandria, Saloninus, As Caesar, AD 258-260
Egypt, Alexandria, Saloninus, As Caesar, AD 258-260, Tetradrachm, dated RY 7 of Valerian I and Gallienus (AD 259/60)
Obv: ΠO ΛI KOP CA VAΛEPIANOC K CEB, Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; L-Z (date) across field
Obv: ΠO ΛI KOP CA VAΛEPIANOC K CEB, Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak; L-Z (date) across field
Egypt, Alexandria, Macrianus, Usurper, 260-261 AD
Egypt, Alexandria, Macrianus, 260-261 AD, BI Tetradrachm , Dated RY 1 (260/1 AD); of September 260-May 261 AD
Obv: AK T Φ IOΥN MAKΡIANOC E CEB Laureate and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Eagle standing left, wreath in beak; LA (date) in left field
Ref: Dattari 5380 plate 275
Obv Latin Equivalent: IMP Titus Fulvius Junius Macrianus E AVG
Obv: AK T Φ IOΥN MAKΡIANOC E CEB Laureate and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Eagle standing left, wreath in beak; LA (date) in left field
Ref: Dattari 5380 plate 275
Obv Latin Equivalent: IMP Titus Fulvius Junius Macrianus E AVG
Egypt, Alexandria, Quietus, Usurper, AD 260-261
Egypt, Alexandria, Quietus, Usurper, AD 260-261, Potin Tetradrachm, dated RY 1 Obv: Α Κ Τ Φ ΙΟVΝ ΚΟVΗΤΟC Є CЄB Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: Eagle standing left, wings spread, holding wreath in beak; L A (date) to lower left
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 5382
Rev: Eagle standing left, wings spread, holding wreath in beak; L A (date) to lower left
Ref: Dattari (Savio) 5382
Egypt, Alexandria, Gallienus, AD 253-268
Gallienus, AD 253-268, BI Tetradrachm, Egypt, Alexandria, dated year 9 (261-262)
Obv: AVT K P LIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, Laureate and cuirassed bust to right
Rev: ENATOY, Eagle standing left, holding wreath in beak; palm over shoulder, L in right field
Ref: Dattari 5286; Geissen 2908
Obv: AVT K P LIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, Laureate and cuirassed bust to right
Rev: ENATOY, Eagle standing left, holding wreath in beak; palm over shoulder, L in right field
Ref: Dattari 5286; Geissen 2908
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