SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Laodicea ad Mare. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 13.58 g, 12 h), CY 168 = 120/1. AYTOKP KAICAP TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC CЄBACT Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. [IOYΛI]ЄⲰN TⲰN KAI ΛAOΔIKЄⲰN / ΗΞΡ Turreted and draped bust of Tyche to right. Prieur 1107. RPC III online 3803.5 (this coin). Very rare. Numerous old cleaning scratches, otherwise, very fine.


Laodicea struck silver tetradrachms during Hadrian's reign in five consecutive issues, dated civic (Caesarean) years 168-172 (= 120/1 to 124/5). The coins from this first issue are very rare, as Prieur only knew of one example (in his own collection). In recent years, a few more have surfaced, this one perhaps being the finest.