EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol (Bronze, 19 mm, 5.70 g, 12 h), Herakleopolite nome, RY 11 = 126/7. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ ϹЄΒ Laureate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΗΡΑΚ L IA Head of Herakles-Heryshef to right, wearing taenia. Dattari (Savio) 6258. Emmett 1236.11. K&G N16.16. RPC III online 6376.27 (this coin). Rare. Minor deposits, otherwise, nearly very 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 obols struck by Hadrian (probably for the emperor's decennalia), the respective nomes are identified through the legend and a local deity is depicted.

This coin was struck for the Herakleopolite nome, located in Middle Egypt, and shows its eponymous deity, Herakles, on the reverse, who was equated with the Egyptian Heryshef. The latter was worshipped as a fertility god, but also as a deity of battle, and thus formed a fitting counterpart for the Greek hero.