EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Drachm (Bronze, 32 mm, 22.01 g, 11 h), RY 19 = 134/5. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙC ΤΡΑΙΑΝ ΑΔΡΙΑΝ[ΟC] CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind. Rev. L ЄΝΝЄΑΚ Δ Harpokrates of Mendes standing front, head to left, raising his right hand to his mouth and holding club surmounted by eagle in his left; to left, ram standing left, head turned back to right, wearing hemhem crown. Dattari (Savio) 1732. K&G 32.657. RPC III 6003. Rare. Light deposits, otherwise, about very fine.


This interesting piece shows Harpokrates as one of the tutelary deities of Mendes, a city in the Egyptian eastern Delta. Though Harpokrates was normally considered a child of Isis and Serapis, in Mendes, he was worshipped as a son of the ram god Banebdjedet and the fish goddess Hatmehyt.