EGYPT. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Drachm (Bronze, 32 mm, 23.00 g, 11 h), Sethroites Nome, RY 8 = 144/5. ΑΥΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤⲰΝЄΙΝΟC CЄΒ ЄΥC Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. CЄΘΡΟЄΙΤΗC / L H Horus of Mesen, with the head of a falcon, standing front, head to right, wearing skhent crown, holding falcon wearing skhent crown in his right hand and scepter in his left. Dattari (Savio) 6390. Emmett 1824.8. K&G N48.6. RPC IV.4 online 13561. Cleaning scratches, 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 bronze drachms struck under Antoninus Pius, the respective nomes are identified through the legend and a local deity is depicted. For the Sethroites, we see the warlike Horus of Mesen, who protected Egypt's northeastern border against foreign invaders. A. Geissen (‘The Nome Coins of Roman Egypt’, in C. Howgego, V. Heuchert & A. Burnett (eds.), Coinage and Identity in the Roman Provinces, Oxford, 2005, p. 167-170) has suggested that the final emission of nome coins in year 8 of Antoninus Pius is most likely linked to the marriage of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger in the same year.