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COINS OF ROMAN EGYPT

The intention here is to provide an overview sense of Roman coins struck in Egypt. None of the coins here are available for sale. Since they do illustrate imperial and religious themes utilizing the changing artistic values of the periods covered, I consider these to be among the most fascinating issues of the Empire. The few examples shown here are not representative of the whole series ... they are - to me - of highest interest.

The long reign of the Ptolemies in Egypt came to an end with the defeat in battle of Marc Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian - later styled Augustus inherited the rich lands of Egypt as his own personal province - and so it remained the property of the reigning emperor spanning Roman history for over 300 years. An excellent summary of coin types and of the period can be found in Wayne Sayles book "Ancient Coin Collecting" , Krause Publ. Iola, WI, 1996. (Find it in our Bookstore)

If you have images of coins of Roman Egypt that you feel would be useful to others interested in this period please let us know!

 

 

 

Antoninus Pius No. 9.JPG (58678 bytes)Antoninus Pius No.9 Rev..JPG (56505 bytes) ANTONINUS PIUS, AE Drachm, Year 12 (148/149 A.D.) Dattari 3045. Rev. Egyptian shrine with two columns capitals of papyrus head, supporting rounded pediment, disk & uraei on; within a seated statue of Isis, right, wearing horns, disk & plumes, suckling Harpokrates who wears skhent. 33mm/dia. Sharp portrait of emperor. Lovely & scarce. VF  Obverse /Reverse

 

 

 

A. Pius No. 12.JPG (58685 bytes)A. Pius No. 12 Rev.JPG (57132 bytes) ANTONINUS PIUS., AE Drachm, Year 11 (147/148 A.D.) Dattari 2543. Rev. Elpis stands left wearing chiton & peplos, holding a flower in extended right hand while raising skirt with left hand. An outstanding example (35mm/dia) not often seen in this condition. Choice VF.

Obverse/ Reverse

 

Faustina No. 13.JPG (53855 bytes)Faustina No. 13 Rev.JPG (53906 bytes) FAUSTINA JUNIOR, AE Diobol, Year 12 Pius (148/149 A.D.) Dattari 3284v. Rev. Elpis stg left holding lotus blossom in right hand and raising the hem of her chiton with her left. Well centered, CHOICE VERY FINE AND RARE~~~! 23mm/dia. An appealing young portrait of this famous empress, wife of Marcus Aurelius. Rare.

Obverse/ Reverse

 

 

 

Maximus_No._15_Obv.JPG (52078 bytes)Maximus No. 15 Rev.JPG (52090 bytes) MAXIMUS, as Caesar - son of Maximinus. He was murdered with his father near Aquileia on June 24th, 238 A.D. Billon Tetradrachm, Year 2 (235/236 A.D.) Curtis 1196.
Rev. Bust of Selene that is slightly off center but complete and extraordinarily sharp! VF/EF.

Obverse/reverse

 

Pupienus No. 17.JPG (50603 bytes)Pupienus No. 17 Rev.JPG (52999 bytes) PUPIENUS, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 1 (238 A.D.) Dattari 4679v. Rev: Eagle standing, wings closed, head turned back holding wreath in beak; in field: LA This EXCEPTIONALLY RARE coin is in VERY FINE condition. An outstanding
portrait of this man who was joint emperor with BALBINUS. Both were murdered July 29th, 238 A.D.

Obverse/Reverse

 

 

Volusian No. 21.JPG (50045 bytes)Volusian No.21 Rev.JPG (55059 bytes) VOLUSIAN, son of TREBONIANUS GALLUS. Murdered with his father in A.D. 253. Billon Tetradrachm, Year 3 (252/253 A.D.) Dattari 5132. Rev: Tyche stands left, modius on head, holding cornucopiae in left hand, right hand on rudder. Another RARE issue from Alexandria in Very Fine condition.

Obverse/reverse

 

Valerian No.20 Obv.JPG (52212 bytes)Valerian No.20 Rev.JPG (48294 bytes) VALERIAN I, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 3 (255/256 A.D.) Curtis 1508.
Reverse shows Eirene standing, holding olive branch & scepter. A lovely example.
VF.

Obverse/reverse

 

 

Claudius Gothicus No. 26.JPG (49150 bytes)Claudius Gothicus No. 26 Rev.JPG (54347 bytes) CLAUDIUS GOTHICUS, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 2 (269/270 A.D.) Dattari 5386. Dikaiosyne seated left on high backed throne, holds scales in extended right hand and cornucopiae in left. In field to left above L B . A desireable good VF.

Obverse/reverse

 

 

 

Aurelian No 29.JPG (52316 bytes)Aurelian No. 29 Rev.JPG (50606 bytes) AURELIAN, Billon Tetradrachm, Year 5 (273/274 A.D.) Dattari 5467. Scarce reverse~~~ a laurel wreath enclosing the date ETOVC/E. VF.

Obverse/reverse

 

 

Probus No. 34.JPG (47519 bytes)Probus No 34 Rev.JPG (50690 bytes) AURELIAN,  year 3 (277/278 A.D.) Dattari 5545 Rev: Tyche standing left wearing modius, holding rudder & cornucopiae. A very special example. Strong VF.

Obverse/reverse

 

AEMILIAN

An extremely scarce Billon Tetradrachm of this short-lived emperor is shown here as struck in Year Two of his reign ... 253 A.D. (See Dattari 5139/5140). As governor of Moesia, he rebelled agains Gallus & Volusian, causing their murder. Within three months, however, P. Licinius Valerianus, who had been summoned by Gallus to his assistance, was proclaimed emperor by his troops & invaded Italy. Aemilian was murdered by his own men, leaving Valerian master of the Roman world.

Aemilian Obv.JPG (58969 bytes) Aemilian Rev..JPG (63864 bytes)

 

Aquilia Severa Obv.JPG (57071 bytes) Aquilia Severa Rev..JPG (59653 bytes)  

 

AQUILIA SEVERA

Another rarely seen coin of this empress, once a Vestal Virgin, then married to Elagabalus in 220 A.D. She was divorced the following year but after the emperor divorced Annia Faustina, Elagabalus returned to her in the same year. In March of 222 A.D., Elagabalus and his mother Julia Soaemias were murdered in the praetorian camp. Their bodies were dragged through the streets of Rome and thrown into the Tiber.

 

 

                 

 

                NOTE: Although these are no longer available we do come across similar issues from time to time. Please let us know if you are looking for something in particular.

 

 

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