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Nomos 24

22 May 2022
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich

overview
Estimate: 750 CHF
Hammer Price:  1700 CHF
Lot 283

EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol (Bronze, 25.80 mm, 10.79 g, 11 h), year IE = 15 = 130-131. AΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙA CEΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. L I-E Emperor, in military dress, seated left on galley, raising his right hand in salutation and holding a scepter in his left; to right, at the galley stern, steersman. Dattari (Savio) 1582. Geissen 1032. K&G 32.513. RPC III 5785. Rare. Clear and attractive, well-struck and with a dark green patina and some earthen highlights. About extremely fine.

From the collection of Jean-Pierre Righetti, ex Roma Numismatics XVIII, 29 September 2019, 762, and from a one-time resident of New Jersey.

This reverse type, which could either celebrate the emperor's arrival or departure from Egypt, can be almost certainly connected to his departure in November 130; following the mysterious death of his favourite, Antinous, who drowned in the Nile that October. While this tale has some similarities to the notorious story of the death of Christo, the antiquity dealer Robin Symes's partner, Hadrian was apparently distraught and founded both a city and a cult in the boy's honour (Symes, of course, did neither).

Online bidding closes: 22 May 2022, 09:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 20 Apr 2024, 07:36:18 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:1700 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 22 Mai 2022 at 9:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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