EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Dichalkon (Bronze, 15 mm, 2.44 g, 11 h), Herakleopolites Nome, RY 11 = 126/7. Laureate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. L I-A / ΗΡΑ Sphinx seated right, resting his right paw on wheel. Dattari (Savio) 6260. Emmett 1302.11. K&G N16.19. RPC III 6377. Somewhat rough, otherwise, good fine.


This coin forms part of the 'nome coinage', struck under several emperors starting from Domitian and ending with Antoninus Pius. The division of Egypt into nomes (smaller districts) had its roots in the pharaonic administration, but continued to be used in the Graeco-Roman period. On the reverse of the dichalka struck by Hadrian (probably for the emperor's decennalia), the respective nomes are identified through the legend and a local symbol of the nome is depicted. The present coin was struck for the Herakleopolites and shows a griffin on the reverse. This animal represents Petbe, an Egyptian god of vengeance who punished evildoers for their injustice. The Greeks equated Petbe with Nemesis - therefore, the griffin is resting his paw on a wheel, which should be understood as the Wheel of Fortune.