EGYPT. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 35 mm, 24.68 g, 12 h), Sebennyte nome, RY 12 = 108/9 (?). ΑΥ[Τ ΤΡ]ΑΙΑΝ ϹΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ Δ[ΑΚΙΚ] Laureate and draped bust of Trajan to right, seen from behind. Rev. ϹΕΒΕΝΝΥΤΗϹ ΝΟΜΟϹ Onuris-Shu standing front, head to left, wearing military dress and helmet, holding spear in his right hand and parazonium in his left; at his feet to left, oryx left. Dattari (Savio) 6378. Emmett 727 var. (date not recorded). K&G N46.2. RPC III 6472. Very rare. Edge split, otherwise, 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 bronze drachms, the respective nomes are identified through the legend and a local deity is depicted.