EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol (Bronze, 18 mm, 5.00 g, 12 h), Leontopolite Nome, RY 11 = 126/7. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΛЄΟΝΤ L IA Ares standing front, head to right, holding spear in his right hand and lion in his left. Dattari (Savio) 10976. Emmett 1240.11. K&G N24.3. RPC III 6470. Rare. Some deposits and with some corrosion, 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 obols struck by Hadrian (probably for the emperor's decennalia), the respective nomes are identified through the legend and a local deity is depicted. For the Leontopolite nome, we see Ares holding a lion, symbolizing the Egyptian Mahes, a lion-headed deity of war, who was considered a son of Bastet or Sekhmet. The temple of Leontopolis housed sacred lions, which were well cared for according to Aelian (De Nat. Animal. 12.7), as their diet consisted of tender beef, and they were given space for exercise and wrestling-grounds where they might hunt calves.