Roman Egypt recommendations

[Amarmur]

I really started enjoying Roman Egypt coins for their style and unique take on Ancient Egyptian culture. Here are a few I like Nilus, Isis headdress, depiction of Messalina (Not Egyptian themed just she is only depicted on provincials). Share your Roman egypt coins or recommend some ones that are "significant" in your opinion. 

[Prieure de Sion]

I like the Nero Silver from Alexandria - a fine style …

[Al Kowsky]

My favorite Roman-Egyptian coin is pictured below ☺️.

 

[Amarmur]

36 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

My favorite Roman-Egyptian coin is pictured below ☺️.

 

Very nice, I read somewhere that during the reign of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius the Roman Egypt coins peaked in artistry. Nero also famous for a great bunch of reverses.

[Al Kowsky]

The finest Hadrian coin from Alexandria that I remember seeing is pictured below. CNG sold this coin in their Coin Shop, #5624340, for $16,500.00 🤩!

 

     

Egypt-Alexandria, Hadrian AD 117-138 (dated RY 16, AD 123/2). AE Drachm: 29.09 gm, 36 mm, 11 h. Ex Dr. Hans Steger Collection, Munzhandlung Basel 6, lot 486, March 18, 1936.

 

[DonnaML]

@Amarmur, instead of my trying to pick out a few favorites among my Roman Alexandrian coins, I thought that perhaps it might be more helpful to you, in terms of giving you some ideas, if I re-posted all 47 of them in their two trays, one for the tetradrachms and smaller issues, and one for the drachms. (I originally posted them last month in @Sulla80's "Coins of Alexandria" thread, encompassing all the different Alexandrias, not only the one in Egypt!)

Here's the breakdown of the 47 coins in terms of the issues of different emperors: Tiberius 1, Claudius I 5 (including one depicting only Agrippina the Younger), Nero 4, Galba 1, Vespasian 1, Trajan 2, Hadrian 18 (including one depicting only Sabina), Antoninus Pius 7 (including one depicting only his daughter Faustina II), Elagabalus 1, Gallienus 2 (including one depicting only Salonina), Claudius II Gothicus 2, Probus 1, Diocletian 1, Anonymous 2nd century Tessera 1. So 25 of the 47 were issued by Hadrian and Antoninus Pius.

Edited November 14, 2023 by DonnaML

[Marsyas Mike]

Nice coins in this post.  I'm not sure if I'm imagining things, but a ton of Roman Egyptian stuff is showing up on eBay (where I hunt) and as far as I can tell, it mostly (mostly, not all) appears to be genuine.  Here're a few recent highlights:

This horrible thing is actually quite rare - a Year 1 tet of Elagabalus, Ares reverse.  I could only find three, all on the RPC site, and all of these are heads - mine is draped (and cuirassed, per RPC).  I wrote RPC to see what they thought and it is now official - part of the RPC system (RPC VI, 30698 (temporary))!  I'm so proud.  Too bad this is so ugly; but so far, it seems to be unique.  I'm accepting offers starting in the low $$gazillions.  See:  https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6/30698:

Tetradrachms of Vespasian and Commodus - Vespasian has a double(d) chin:

A big AE drachm of Antoninus Pius with a biga of winged ssssnakesssss.  I took some pains looking for die-matches since I was a bit nervous about how cheap this interesting type went for.  

Antoninus Pius  Æ Drachm Year ΙΔ = 14 (150-151 A.D.) Alexandria Mint Α[VΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ  ΑΝΤƱΝΙΝΟϹ Ϲ]ƐΒ ƐVϹ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Triptolemos driving biga of winged serpents right, L ΙΔ above. RPC IV.4, 13708 (temporary) (20.08 grams / 31 x 30 mm) eBay August 2023 $38.00 Attribution (CNG, etc.): RPC IV.4, 13708 (temporary); Köln 1662; Dattari (Savio) 2908;  K&G 35.517; Emmett 1683.14.

Die-Match Characteristics: Obv: Big tie-loop; big drapery loop at front, "shelf" at hairline; rounded beard. Rev: Dot between wing and snake's neck; Triptolemus short  arm; lopsided biga wheel. 

Die-Match Obv. & Rev.:

Coin no. 8 of RPC IV.4, 13708 Hunterian Museum, Glasgow ID:  SNGuk_1202_4219 

Coin no. 22 of RPC IV.4, 13708 Aiello ("John Aiello, a prominent ancient coin wholesaler" FORVM).

Die-Match Obverse:  

Coin no. 6 of RPC IV.4, 13708 Bibliothèque nationale de France Inventory no. 2268

Coin no. 7 of RPC IV.4, 13708 Bibliothèque nationale de France Inventory no. 2269

Coin no. 12 of RPC IV.4, 13708  Bibliothèque nationale de France Inv. no. 1967/1705 (Maspero)

 

 

[Sulla80]

Here's one favorite from my "Roman Egypt" Sub-collection which started out with a Gallienus focus and has grown from there and now includes some earlier Ptolemaic coins as well. You can see more coins from this collection in my coin gallery here:

https://www.sullacoins.com/roman-egypt

and notes on these coins here:

https://www.sullacoins.com/blog/categories/egypt

I am convinced that my coin is the Dattari coin - the two flan cracks on the reverse and the two on the front all line up perfectly.  Differences in the outer edge are just an artifact of the way these pencil rubbings were made.

Edited November 12, 2023 by Sulla80

[Roman Collector]

Some of my favorite Faustina-themed Alexandrians:

This one of Antoninus Pius featuring the deified Faustina as Eusebeia. Never before had a deified empress been depicted on the coinage of Roman Alexandria.
 

Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161.
Roman provincial billion tetradrachm, 11.60 g, 23.7 mm, 11 h.
Egypt, Alexandria, year 5, AD 141/2.
Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ; laureate head of Antoninus Pius, right.
Rev: ΦΑVϹΤΙΝΑ ΘЄΑ,empress (Faustina I) as Eusebeia, veiled, standing left, dropping incense on lighted altar and holding long scepter; L-Є in lower fields.
Refs: RPC IV.4, 13464 (temporary); Dattari 2102; Milne 1686; SNG France 2205; Köln 1369; Emmett 1393.5.

This one depicts Isis Pharia and is one of my favorite Alexandrian coins.

Faustina II, 147-175 CE.
Roman provincial billon tetradrachm, 13.70 g, 21.4 mm, 11 h.
Egypt, Alexandria, 153/4 CE.
Obv: ΦΑVϹΤΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹϹΤΗ, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: Isis Pharia right, wearing horned disk crown and plumes, chiton, and peplos which flies behind her, holding an inflated sail with both hands and left foot; in right hand, a sistrum. L I-Z (=regnal year 17) in fields.
Refs: RPC IV.4, 13787 (temporary); BMCG xv.162,1326; Dattari 3250; RIC 4743; Emmett 1949.17; Milne 2213.

A rather quotidian Dikaiosyne seated tetradrachm.

Faustina Jr, AD 161-175.
Billon Tetradrachm, 13.82 g, 23.2 mm.
Alexandria, AD 148/9.
Obv: ΦΑΥCΤΙΝΑ CЄΒΑCΤΗ, pearl-diademed and draped bust, right.
Rev: L ΔⲰΔЄΚΑΤΟΥ (regnal year 12 of Antoninus Pius), Dikaiosyne seated left, holding scales and cornucopiae.
Refs: Köln 1944; Dattari 3238; BMC 1317; Emmett 1938.

And a huge bronze drachm depicting a temple.

Faustina II, AD 147-175.
Roman provincial Æ drachm, 24.36 g, 35.4 mm, 12 h.
Egypt, Alexandria, AD 151/52 (year 15).
Obv: ΦΑVCΤΙΝ CЄΒ CЄΒ ЄVCЄΒ ΘVΓ, draped bust, right, wearing circlet of pearls around head.
Rev: Monumental altar or flat-roofed temple with four (garlanded) columns enclosing female figure dropping incense on altar; above, pyre; acroteria in form of aphlasta; L – IЄ (year 15) to either side.
Refs: RPC IV.4 14749 (temp); Köln 1961; Dattari 3305-06; K&G 38.69; Emmett 1971.15; Sear –.
Note: Some authors identify the altar on the reverse as the altar of Agathodaimon.

[ambr0zie]

You chose a very interesting theme to develop. Alexandrian coins are very interesting provincials. I also intend to branch out in this domain. 

I also think that the "purely Egyptian" themed coins are very interesting. 

Anyway the iconography doesn't lack imagination and you have plenty of artistic motifs to choose from, including some unique reverses, that are not present in other cities. Plus nice, realistic portraits. 

I don't have many. My favorites are a Hadrian tetradrachm with Sarapis and Cerberus reverse 

 

and a Claudius diobol with a hippopotamus. 

 

Edited November 12, 2023 by ambr0zie

[Prieure de Sion]

I had only this three Alexandria / Egypt coins...

 

Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus; Reign: Commodus; Mint: Alexandria, Egypt; Date: 183/184 AD; Nominal: Tetradrachm; Material: Billon; Diameter: 26mm; Weight: 11.97g; Reference: RPC IV.4 14196; Reference: Dattari 3874; Reference: Geissen 2215; Provenance: Kölner Münzkabinett, Germany; Provenance: Naville Numismatics London, Great Britain (Auction 41, Lot 268, 2018); Provenance: Heritage Numismatics Dallas, USA (Signature Sale 3042, Lot 32195, 2015); Obverse: Laureate head of Commodus, right; Inscription: Μ Α ΚΟ ΑΝΤⲰ ϹƐΒ ƐVϹƐΒ; Translation: Marcos Aurelios Komodos Antōninos Sebastos Eusebes; Translation: Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus Pius; Reverse: Draped bust of Nilus, right, crowned with taenia and lotus-buds, cornucopia at shoulder; Inscription: L ΚΔ; Translation: ΛUΚΑΒΑϚ (λυκαβας) Kappa (20) Delta (4); Translation: Year 24 (183/84 AD).

 

Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus for Divus Tiberius; Reign: Nero; Mint: Alexandria, Egypt; Date: 66/67 AD; Nominal: Tetradrachm; Material: Billon Silver; Diameter: 23.1mm; Weight: 13.25g; Reference: Walker 168–77; Reference: Dattari 185; Reference: RPC I 5295; Provenance: Naville Numismatics London, Great Britain; Obverse: Radiate bust of Nero with aegis, left; Inscription: ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑV L ΙΓ; Translation: Neros Klaudios Kaisaros Sebastos Germanicos Autokrator, Lukabas Iota Gamma; Translation: Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Imperator, Year (10 + 3) 13; Reverse: Laureate head of Tiberius, right; Inscription: ΤΙΒΕΡΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ; Translation: Tiberios Kaisaros; Translation: Tiberius Caesar.

 

Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus; BI Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 66/67 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 24mm; Weight: 14.12g; Mint: Alexandria, Egypt; Reference: RPC I 5296 (Specimens: 12), Dattari (Savio) 264; Provenance: Ex Classical Numismatics CNG USA; Obverse: Radiate bust of Nero with aegis to the left. The Inscription reads: ΝΕΡΩ ΚΛΑV ΚΑΙΣ ΣΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΑV L ΙΓ for Nero Klaudios Kaisaros Sebastos Germanicos Augustos Alexandria Iota Gamma (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Augustus, Alexandria (L) reign year (10+3) 13); Reverse: Corbita with helmsman under sail to right; two dolphins in water below. The Inscription reads: ΣEBAΣTOΦOPOΣ for Sebastophoros (Best wishes (hope) [for the safe travel] of the Emperor).

"Neroneia" was the name Emperor Nero gave to his Greek games in Rome, which he first established in 60 AD. Literary and musical contests played a major role. Nero's first public appearance as a participant, however, took place in Naples in 64 AD at the "Sebasta". A year later in 65 AD he also appeared in Rome at the "Neroneia" as a poet and kithara player. In the following year he began his great tour of Greece, where he participated in the Olympic Games and gave theatrical performances across the Hellenic cities, where he also enjoyed playing female roles, as a kithara singer and in athletic competitions. He won all the wreaths of the musical competitions (in Olympia there was an extra unique musical competition) and was also victorious in the chariot races, although in Olympia he fell out of his chariot while driving a ten-horse instead of a four-horse! He is said to have emerged victorious in competitions of all kinds 1808 times.

His Tour:
October 66 AD - Actia
Spring 67 AD - Olympia
Spring 67 AD - Nemea
April / May 67 AD - Isthmia
August 67 AD - Pythia
August 67 AD - Inauguration of the Isthmus Canal
28. November 67 AD - Proclamation of the freedom of the Greeks in Corinth
December 67 AD until beginning 68 AD - Four triumphant entries in Rome

An admirer of Greek culture, he stayed in Greece for over a year until he was urged by his advisors to return to Rome, where the mood had meanwhile deteriorated greatly. Although he returned to Rome to great acclaim, he gave himself over entirely to his pleasures, attending theaters and concerts, arranging betting games, and once again appearing as an artist himself. The Roman nobility did not approve of the emperor's public appearances at the games. He also aroused their ill-will when he forced them to participate in the Roman spectacles, even though this was an activity for slaves.

Coins with corresponding motifs were minted on the occasion of the journey, including Alexandrian tetradrachms with the ship on which Nero was traveling on the reverse and the circumscription ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΦΟΡΟΣ ("Emperor Bearer")*. Other coin motifs refer to the temples he visited of Zeus of Olympia, that of Hera of Argos, of Poseidon at the Isthmus, and other stops on his journey.

 

[JeandAcre]

Here's my one and only tet of Antoninus Pius.  @DonnaML gets cordial, ongoing thanks for turning me on to these, to the extent that I needed one.  (N. B.  Dealer's pics; yep, I liberated it.)

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Great coin @JeandAcre ! 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Here are a few of mine:

Hadrian/Nilos

 

Nero/Serapis

Salonina/Eagle (nice portrait!)

Carinus/Diaskonye

Numerian/Athena

Maxmianus/Eagle

Maximianus/Wreath

[JeandAcre]

Thanks to all of you, only most conspicuously @Ancient Coin Hunter, for your kind reactions and response.  I pretty much figured that it might well end up being the only representative example in the collection.  At least on an intuitive level, it was time to aim relatively high.

[David Atherton]

Great coins in this thread from one of my favourite provincial mints!

This is my favourite coin from Alexandria.

Domitian
Æ Hemidrachm, 12.15g
Alexandria mint, 92-93 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΘƐΟ(Υ) ΥΙΟϹ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, l.
Rev: LΙΒ; Pharos
RPC 2677 (0 spec.). Emmett 273f.12. Dattari-Savio 6784.
Ex CNG eAuction 484, 27 January 2021, lot 559.

[Greekcoin21]

On 11/12/2023 at 5:45 AM, DonnaML said:

@Amarmur, instead of my trying to pick out a few favorites among my Roman Alexandrian coins, I thought that perhaps it might be more helpful to you, in terms of giving you some ideas, if I re-posted all 47 of them in their two trays, one for the tetradrachms and smaller issues, and one for the drachms. (I originally posted them last month in @Sulla80's "Coins of Alexandria" thread, encompassing all the different Alexandrias, not only the one in Egypt!)

Here's the breakdown of the 47 coins in terms of the issues of different emperors: Tiberius 1, Claudius I 5 (including one depicting only Agrippina the Younger), Nero 4, Galba 1, Vespasian 1, Trajan 2, Hadrian 18 (including one depicting only Sabina), Antoninus Pius 7 (including one depicting only his daughter Faustina II), Elagabalus 1, Gallienus 2 (including one depicting only Salonina), Claudius II Gothicus 2, Probus 1, Diocletian 1, Anonymous 2nd century Tessera 1. So 25 of the 47 were issued by Hadrian and Antoninus Pius.

Outstanding collection Donna ML how many year’s collections?

[DonnaML]

1 hour ago, Greekcoin21 said:

Outstanding collection Donna ML how many year’s collections?

Thanks. Do you mean how long have I been collecting Roman Egyptian coins? I believe I began only about four years ago, when I first realized how many of the reverses I like, and how well they fit in with my long-time interest in Egyptology, ancient Egyptian artifacts, etc.