ANTONINUS PIUS
AD 138-161
AE Drachm. 21.18g, 34.4mm
MINTED: EGYPT, Alexandria, RY 8 (AD 144/5)
REF: Emmett 1621.8; Dattari 2748; RPC Online 15635 (2 spec)
OBVERSE: ΑVΤ Κ Τ ΑΙΛ ΑΔΡ ΑΝΤωΝΙΝΟС ƐVСƐΒ, laureate bust right.
REVERSE: Nilus reclining left, holding reed and cornucopia from which emerges a Genius who crowns Nilus with a wreath; L H in field, Iς (for 16 cubits) above, crocodile below.
 
Provenance:
Ex Robert L. Grover Collection of Roman-Egyptian Coinage, previously held by the Art Institute of Chicago (1981.457)
An excellent coin with a rare museum pedigree, sold with its original catalogue tag indicating the accession number (1981.457) used when was received into the museum's collection.
 
Grade/Notes:
Good Fine. Attractive earthy green patina with a small area of patina loss on the reverse, not affecting visibility of any devices.
Rare variety with only 2 other specimens recorded in the online Roman Provincial Coinage database.
 
Historical Notes:
Egypt supplied as much as half of Rome’s annual grain supply, and was as such a hugely important province. Its economic and cultural heart was Alexandria, the second largest city in the Empire with a population of more than half a million during the time of Augustus. The coins of Roman Egypt were heavily used in daily commerce, and most often found in extremely worn condition. They are nevertheless highly collectible and interesting, sometimes featuring unique Egyptian-themed reverses and deities.