EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25 mm, 12.88 g, 12 h), RY 10 = 125/6. AYT KAI TPAI AΔPIA CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind.
Rev. L•ΔΕΚΑΤΟΥ Half-length heroically nude bust of Ares to left, seen from behind, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Dattari (Savio) 1271 = RPC III, pl. 274, 5568 = Staffieri, Alexandria in Nummis, 57 (
this coin). Emmett 810.10. K&G 32.353. G. M. Staffieri: Sulla Testimonianza di un Ares Policleteo Nella Monetazione Imperiale Alessandrina, in: NAC 22 (1993), 187-199, fig. 1 (
reverse of this coin illustrated). Apparently unique. A beautifully toned and impressive piece of excellent style. Light doubling on the obverse and with minor flan faults
, otherwise, very fine.
From the collections of Eric ten Brink and G. M. Staffieri, Triton XXI, 9 January 2018, 59, ex Münz Zentrum 29, 27 April 1977, and from the collection of G. Dattari (1853-1923).
Staffieri has suggested that the reverse of this magnificent tetradrachm, which is closely paralleled by a rare series of bronze drachms struck under Antoninus Pius showing a similar reverse (Dattari (Savio) 8306), was derived from a statue in the style of Polykleitos, which possibly stood in the Serapeum-Pantheon in Alexandria.
