EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Obol (Bronze, 21 mm, 5.11 g, 12 h), Koptite nome, RY 11 = 126/7. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ CЄΒ Laureate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. ΚΟΠΤ / L ΙΑ Kronos-Sobek-Geb standing front, head to left, holding harpa in his right hand and gazelle in his left. Dattari (Savio) 10969 = RPC III online 6276.30 (this coin). Emmett 1256.11. K&G N21.2. Rare. Minor roughness, 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.

The Koptite nome, so called for its nome capital of Koptos, was located in Upper Egypt. The city was of prime economic importance as it lay near the road to the Eastern Desert, where gold, precious gems and stone for construction could be found. Moreover, goods such as spices and incense imported from Punt, Arabia and India also flowed through Koptos after being unloaded at the Red Sea port of Myos Hormos. Depicted on the reverse of the coin is Geb, a complex chtonic deity who was worshipped as the father of the gods and the lord of earthquakes. He was sometimes depicted as a crocodile, which led to his association with Sobek. As he was considered 'the father of the gods', the Greeks equated him with Kronos, although the Egyptian Geb appears to have had no penchant for infanticide. The animal he is holding is likely a Dorcas gazelle, the sacred animal of the local Isis cult.