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Coinage of Alexandria-Egypt

Note from Wayne Sayles:  Emmett "Alexandrian Coins" is the easiest to use, most complete and one of the most inexpensive references available for these coins. It also gives a complete rarity guide for every date of every issue.

On the reverses, the letter L represents the abbreviation for the word "year" in Greek.  The use of this format is what allows us to properly date to the regnal year of each coin issued.

Note from Mike Covili:  All of the standard references describe the two denominations of small bronzes together as dichalkae, although some of them do recognize that the smallest of them may be chalkae.  The larger of these two sizes, is the likely hemi-obol.  The smaller, previously called chalkon is the likely quarter-obol, or true dichalkon.  This stems from a paper by Klaus Maersch (in German) based on studies of the papyrus suggests these new denominations.  Erik Christiansen's Roman Coins of Alexandria continues this idea.  It seems to make much more sense.  I recently posted Keith Emmett's recent Celator article on my website:

http://www.coinsofromanegypt.org/html/library/emmett/emmett_aug.htm

This is from one of the notes: "The conventional view has been that these coins represent dichalkons, however, this may not be true for a number of reasons: from the sizes and weights in RPC1 and RPC2, it is apparent that the smallest denomination actually represents two denominations. From Table 2, the ratio of the obol to this "dichalkon" (called a hemiobol in the table) suggests that 2.17 to 2.36 of the smaller coin equalled an obol; however if the smaller coin were a dichalkon, then one would expect a ratio for 4 to an obol. The smallest coins cited in RPC1 and RPC2 are approximately half the weight of this "dichalkon", and these smallest coins likely represent the true dichalkon. This would result in coins of a half obol and a quarter obol, which would solve many of the questions raised regarding the bronze denominations cited in the papyri. These denominations of 2, 1, 1/2 and 1/4 obols correspond with Augustus' 80, 40, 20 and 10 drachm denominations. In the later empire, the weight of the 1/4 obol denomination was reduced to that of the older 5 drachm value denomination, which had been eliminated at an earlier period."

Note on rarity from p. xvii:

Rarity is denoted from 1-5 with 1 being most common and 5 being most rare with perhaps only one or two specimens found in any of the major Alexandrian collections. The rarity indicator will be in parentheses behind the attribution.

*****

Updated notes from Keith Emmett on 09/25/07:

I just have a clarification on Christiansen's view on the bronze denominations. He differs from me in that he assigns a value of 1-1/2 obols to my diobol and his next sized coin he calls a 3/4 obol, which is my obol and the next coin size he calls "trichalkon" which is my half-obol. He follows my logic in that the denomination halve in weight and thus in value, but he differs in calling a diobol as a 1-1/2 obol piece, probably because nobody else identified a half-obol and therefore the mention of a payment of 1-1/2 obols could not be figured out with the denominations known at the time.

I was just reviewing Klaus Maresch's book Bronze und Silber, and he does extend the values to 10 and 5. Because the work is in German, I can not be certain that he is calling Milne's dichalkon a hemi-obol. He does not give the weights of the coins, which would confirm the link. 

Maresch gives:

P  = 80 Rechendr. = Diobolon    (25 mm)
M  = 40    "      = Obolos      (20 mm)
K  = 20     "     = Hemiobelion (15 mm)
I  = 10      "    = Dichalkon   (10 mm)
E  =  5       "   = Chalkus     ( 5 mm)

The main stumbling block for the bronze coinage was not seeing that a half-obol denomination existed. I think there was too much importance placed on the weight of the smallest piece. There is still some debate on what if anything is smaller than a half-obol -- but I think there is a quarter-obol denomination (and at one time there was a 1/8 obol (chalkon)).

*****

From Emmett's research in his Celator article, Volume 17, No. 8, August 2004, here are the weight relationships, starting with the non-portrait coinage of Augustus:

Denomination Weight (gm.) No. coins Size (mm.) No. coins 
         
40 drachms 6.35 +/- 0.70 7 20.06 +/- 0.9 5
20 drachms 3.21 +/- 0.52 36 15.6 +/- 0.9 29
10 drachms 1.41 +/- 0.25 9 14.1 +/- 0.1 6
5 drachms 0.88 +/- 0.17 41 11.3 +/- 1.1 30

The question as to when the older Ptolemaic denominations became replaced with the obol-based denominations is difficult to determine. Milne's third and fourth series may have been a reduced-weight series of 80 drachms (10.11 gm.), 40 drachms (5.14 gms.) and 20 drachms (2.66 gms.), or they may have been a new equating series of a diobol, obol and half obol, which had been reduced, again, as evidenced in Milne's fifth and sixth series.

Concerning the role of the coin-types without the portrait of Augustus, these coins provided the necessary smaller denominations of 40, 20, 10, and 5 drachms. The fact that they lack the portrait of Augustus makes them easy to distinguish from the later obol-based denominations. This indicates that the older Ptolemaic denominations lasted in Alexandria at least until year 38 of Augustus. It may well be that a dual value system for the coins was utilized for the Augustan bronze pieces:— one based on an equivalence to silver and the other one based on obol denominations.

*****

Notes to self added 01/08/2008 (thinking out loud - just ignore this) - AE Drachm (24.00g range) : Tetrobol (18.00g range) : Hemidrachm (12.00g range) : Diobol (8.00g range) : Trihemiobol (6.00g range) : Obol (4.00g range) : Hemiobol (2.00g range) : Tetartemorion (1.00g range) : Hemitetartemorion (0.50g range)

*****

Notes from Keith Emmett added 02/12/2008: 

Billon denominations = octodrachm (radiate) : tetradrachm : didrachm : drachm
Bronze denominations = drachm (6 bronze obols) : hemidrachm (3 obols) : diobol (2 obols) : obol (8 chalki) : hemiobol (4 chalki) : dichalkon (2 chalki) : chalkon (base unit)

The early period up to Nero (perhaps later) there was a 1 chalkon denomination (value mark = E=5) and later it seems that the hemiobol (called a dichalkon in most catalogs), and a dichalkon were the usual smaller denominations. With the three smallest denominations it is almost impossible to distinguish between the three denominations even when weighed and measured. Some of the so called "dichalkons" may have been minted for/in Caesaria? and may have been mixed with the Alexandrian issues and thus complicating the denominations.

A silver tetradrachm was not equal to 4 bronze drachms. The tetradrachm was usually equated to 28 or 29 bronze obols, the extra 2 to 3 bronze obols was likely a surcharge. The sizes and weights decreased for the denominations over time. I'll look at your weights and sizes later.

You have to compute the means and standard deviation for each denomination, as some weights may be abnormally heavy or light issues but when they are averaged you can see a clear picture. A diobol was usually 25 to 26 mm but eventually reduced to around 21 mm, approaching the size of an obol of an early period.

*****


Nero, AR Tetradrachm, 66/67 (Year 13), Egypt-Alexandria
NERW [KLAU KAIS] SEB GER
Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
AUTOKRA
Helmeted, cuirassed bust of Roma right
LIG in right field (regnal year 13)
23mm x 24mm, 12.08g
Emmett 131 (1)


Trajan, AE Hemiobol, 111/112 (Year 17), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Hem-hem crown
L I | Z across fields
12mm x 14mm, 1.41g
Emmett 707 (4)


Trajan, AE Hemiobol, 111/112 (Year 17), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Hippopotamus standing right
L IZ above
13mm x 15mm, 1.62g
Emmett 708 (5)

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 12mm diameter


Trajan, AE Hemiobol (Dichalkon), 111/112 (Year 17), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Rhinoceros standing right
L IZ above
13mm x 14mm, 1.02g
Emmett 719 (5)
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007; Ex eBay Auction, May 2001

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 10mm diameter


Trajan, AE Hemiobol (Dichalkon), 112/113 (Year 16), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right, dotted border
(No legend)
Oinochoe (one-handled jug)
L | IV across fields
13mm x 15mm, 1.17g
Emmett 726 (5)

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 10mm diameter


Trajan, AE Hemiobol (Dichalkon), 111/112 (Year 15), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right, line border
(No legend)
Atef crown
L | IE across fields
13mm x 15mm, 1.82g
Emmett --
Ex Zuzim Judea, VCoins, March 2008 (Misattributed as Emmett 710 (Crown of Isis))

Note: Dotted border on obverse is ~10mm diameter


Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, 125/126 (Year 10), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT KAI-TRAI ADRIA CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
L DEK_ATOU
Canopic jar of Osiris standing right
23mm x 25mm, 13.19g
Emmett 827 (1)
Ex CNG, Auction 69, June 8, 2005, Lot 1284


Hadrian, AR Tetradrachm, 133/134 (Year 18), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT KAIC TRAIAN .-ADRIANOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
(No legend)
Serapis enthroned left, scepter in left hand, pointing with right hand at Cerberus seated left at feet
L I | H across fields
23mm x 24mm, 13.67g
Emmett 892 (1)


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol (Tetartemorion?), 129/130 (Year 14), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right, slight drapery over left shoulder
(No legend)
Three corn ears, tied together at bottom
L | ID across fields
11mm x 12mm, 1.07g
Emmett 1176 (5)

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 8mm diameter


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol (Tetartemorion?), 125/126 (Year 10), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right, drapery over left shoulder, I in right field
(No legend)
Cornucopiae
L D | E across fields
11mm x 13mm, 1.09g
Emmett 1177 (2)

Note: DE on the reverse for Hadrian is short for DEKATOU or Year 10, instead of 4+5=9 as found on some ancient coins

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 8mm diameter


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol, 119/120 (Year 4), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Headdress of Isis
L | D across fields
13mm x 14mm, 1.38g
Emmett 1189


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol, 132/133 (Year 17), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Headdress of Isis
LI | Z across fields
11mm x 12mm, 1.08g
Emmett 1189 (Not attested for Year 17)


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol, 117/118 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Ibis standing right
LB above
13mm x 16mm, 2.47g
Emmett 1192 (5)
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007; Ex Bill Kalmbach Collection, January 2000


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol (Tetartemorion?), 126/127 (Year 11), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right, drapery over left shoulder, I in right field
(No legend)
Piloi (Caps) of Dioskouri
LIA below
11mm x 12mm, 1.03g
Emmett 1198 (1)

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 8mm diameter


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol, 137/138 (Year 22), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head left
(No legend)
Pomegranate
L / K | B across field and below
13mm x 14mm, 2.03g
Emmett 1199 (5); BMC --; Milne --
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007; Ex CNG, May 1993


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol, 125/126 (Year 10), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right, drapery over left shoulder
(No legend)
Sistrum
L | DE across fields
13mm x 15mm, 1.95g
Emmett 1202 (3)

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 10mm diameter


Hadrian, AE Hemiobol (Tetartemorion?), 126/127 (Year 11), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Figure standing right
L | IA across fields
11mm x 12mm, 1.40g
Emmett --

Note: Dotted border on reverse is 8mm diameter


Antinoos, AE Drachm, 134/135 (Year 19), Egypt-Alexandria
ANTINOOV-HOwOC
Cloaked bust right, wearing hem-hem crown
(No legend)
Antinoos on horse back prancing right, caduceus in right hand
L | Q | I across fields
33mm x 34mm, 22.16g
Emmett 1346 (2); Köln 1276; Blum 9
Ex Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland GmbH, Auction 12, Lot 304, April 2003; Ex Edward J. Waddell, Ltd; Ex Dr. B. Peus Nachf., Frankfurt a. M. Sale 277, Lot 227, 1971


Antoninus Pius, AR Tetradrachm, 139/140 (Year 3), Egypt-Alexandria
AU_T K-T AIL ADR-ANTwNINOC
Bare head, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind 
L-TRI_TOU
Dikaiosyne (Aequitas) seated left on throne, scales in right hand, cornucopiae in left
24mm x 25mm, 13.42g
Emmett 1377 (1)
Ex Thomas Beniak Collection; Ex Harlan J Berk, Sale 134, October 2003


Antoninus Pius, AE Hemiobol, 138/139 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Bare head left
(No legend)
Headdress of Isis
L | B across fields
13mm x 15mm, 1.97g
Emmett 1800 (5)
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007; Ex Bill Kalmback Collection, January 2000


Faustina II, AE Tetradrachm, 153/154 (Year 17 of Antoninus Pius), Egypt-Alexandria
FAUCTINA-CEBACTH
Pearl-diademed, draped bust right, hair in waves, bun at back of head with log braid carried across top of head and tucked under diadem
(No legend)
Dikaiosyne (Aequitas) seated left on throne, scales in right hand, cornucopiae in left
I / L | Z across fields (Z is retrograde)
21mm x 22mm, 11.95g
Emmett 1938 (4)


Commodus, AE Tetradrachm, 188/189 (Year 29, Sole Reign), Egypt-Alexandria
M A KOM ANTW-CEBEY CEB
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Galley sailing right, Pharos at left
LKQ in exergue
23mm x 24mm, 11.90g
Emmett 2542 (1)

Note: The Pharos is the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the last of the seven Wonders of the ancient world. The lighthouse was on the north-west coast of the Egyptian delta and took the name "Pharos" from the island in front of the harbor on which it was built. Afterwards, pharos became the generic term for lighthouses.


Philip I, AE Tetradrachm, 245/246 (Year 3), Egypt-Alexandria
A K M IOU FILIPPO CEU CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Serapis standing facing, modius on head right, vertical scepter in right hand
L | G across fields
22mm x 23mm, 12.14g
Emmett 3506 (3)


Otacilia Severa, AE Tetradrachm, 246/247 (Year 4 of Philip I), Egypt-Alexandria
MwT CE OVHPA CEMCT C
Diademed, draped bust right, hair weaved in straight lines and rows with long plait looped at based
(No legend)
Eusebeia, veiled, standing facing, head left, box of perfumes in right hand, right hand over lit altar to left
L D in left field
21mm x 22mm, 11.95g
Emmett 3549 variant (1 for type)
Ex Thomas Beniak Collection

Note: Emmett lists the obverse legend for year 4 as ending in CTPA or CT and does not attest any year ending with CTC.


Gallienus, AE Tetradrachm, 261/262 (Year 9, Sole Reign), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT K P LIK GALLIHNOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Eagle standing left, palm on wing, wreath in beak
L | HA across fields
21mm x 24mm, 10.13g
Emmett 3802 (3)
Ex Jean Elsen, Auction 85, Lot 475, September 2005


Claudius II, AE Tetradrachm, 268/269 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT K KLAU_DIOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
(No legend)
Eagle standing right, palm on wing, wreath in beak
L | B across fields
22mm x 23mm, 10.67g
Emmett 3877 (1)


Claudius II, AE Tetradrachm, 268/269 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT K KLAU_DIOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
(No legend)
Eagle standing right, head left, wreath in beak
L | B across fields
20mm x 23mm, 10.34g
Emmett 3878 (1)


Claudius II, AE Tetradrachm, 268/269 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT K KLA_UDIOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Diademed bust of Hermanubis right, laurel ties falling across bare chest, modius on head, caduceus surmounted by palm in right field
L B in left field
21mm x 23mm, 10.15g
Emmett 3883 (1)


Claudius II, AE Tetradrachm, 268/269 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT K KLA_U_DIOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Jugate busts of Nilus and Euthenia right
LB in right field
21mm x 22mm, 10.46g
Emmett 3892 (1)
Ex Thomas Beniak Collection


Claudius II, AE Tetradrachm, 268/269 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
AUT K KLAU_DIOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
(No legend)
Poseidon, nude, standing left, trident in left hand, sword/parazonium in right hand
L | B across fields
20mm x 22mm, 8.21g
Emmett 3893 (1)


Zenobia, AE Tetradrachm, 272 (Year 5), Egypt-Alexandria
CEPTIM ZH_NOBIA CEB
Draped bust right, hair weaved in rows with braid along bottom at back of neck, stephane in hair
(No legend)
Homonia standing left, right hand raised, double-cornucopiae in left
LE in left field
21mm x 23mm, 10.92g
Emmett 3912 (2); Dattari 5512


Tacitus, AE Tetradrachm, September 275-April 276 (Year 1), Egypt-Alexandria
AK KL TAKI_TOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
ETOYC | A
Eagle standing left, head right, wreath in beak
19mm x 21mm, 6.72g
Emmett 3974 (1)


Probus, AE Tetradrachm, 278/279 (Year 4), Egypt-Alexandria
AK M AUR PR_OBOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Eagle standing facing, wings spread, head right, tail right, wreath in beak
L | D across fields
19mm x 20mm, 8.51g
Emmett 3985 (1)


Probus, AE Tetradrachm, 276/277 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
AK M AUR PR_OBOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Elpis standing facing, head left, flower upward in right hand, holding folds of skirt with left
L B in left field
20mm x 22mm, 7.22g
Emmett 3987 (1)


Probus, AE Tetradrachm, 279/280 (Year 5), Egypt-Alexandria
AK M AUR PR_OBOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Nike advancing right, palm in left hand over shoulder, wreath upward in right
L E in right field
18mm x 20mm, 6.39g
Emmett 3991 (1)


Diocletian, AE Tetradrachm, 291/292 (Year 8), Egypt-Alexandria, Officina 1
DIOKLHTIANOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Nike standing facing, head right, wings spread, wreath upward in right hand, palm in left
L | H across fields
A in exergue
18mm, 6.66g
Emmett 4069 (4)
Ex Sphinx Numismatics, VCoins, March 2008

Note: Officina marks were only used during years 8-10 of Diocletian, 7-9 of Maximianus and 1-2 of Galerius and Constantius I. Emmett, on p.xvii, proposed Die Carver 1 for officina A (Diocletian, Constantius I) and officina B (Maximianus, Galerius) and Die Carver 2 for officina G and * (Maximianus, Galerius) and officina D (Diocletian, Constantius I)


Diocletian, AE Tetradrachm, 284/285 (Year 1), Egypt-Alexandria
AK GOU AL DIOKLHTIANOC CEB
Laureate, cuirassed bust right
(No legend)
Tyche reclining left on lectistern, leaning on left hand
L A in upper field
19mm x 21mm, 7.92g
Emmett 4083 (1)

Some interesting follow-up notes from Tom Barbeau on September 26, 2006 with a reattribution of the reverse scene from Emmett's description of Tyche reclining on ship with rudder: "The couch apparently may be referred to as lectistern. The gods were invited to a feast of reconciliation at times of upheaval and calamity. The feast was called a lectisternium. There are a number of reverse types which commemorate lectisternia. In the case of Diocletian, the upheaval commemorated here in year 1 was no doubt his accession to power over the Carian dynasty; probably a huge deal in Alexandria."


Maximianus, AE Tetradrachm, 291/292 (Year 7), Egypt-Alexandria, Officina 2
MAXIMI_ANOC CEB
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Hercules standing facing, head left, leaning on club with right hand, apples in left hand, lion's skin over left arm
L | Z across fields
B in exergue
19mm x 20mm, 7.61g
Emmett 4131 (3)
Ex Ancient Resource, VCoins, February 2006

Note: Officina marks were only used during years 8-10 of Diocletian, 7-9 of Maximianus and 1-2 of Galerius and Constantius I. Emmett, on p.xvii, proposed Die Carver 1 for officina A (Diocletian, Constantius I) and officina B (Maximianus, Galerius) and Die Carver 2 for officina G and * (Maximianus, Galerius) and officina D (Diocletian, Constantius I)


Maximianus, AE Tetradrachm, 291/292 (Year 7), Egypt-Alexandria
MAXIMIANOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
(No legend)
Nike advancing right, palm in left hand over shoulder, wreath upward in right
L | Z across fields
20mm x 21mm, 8.25g
Emmett 4147 (1)


Maximianus, AE Tetradrachm, 290/291 (Year 6), Egypt-Alexandria
MAXIMI_ANOC CEB
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
(No legend)
Nike advancing left, palm in left hand over shoulder, wreath upward in right
L V | * across fields
20mm, 8.69g
Emmett 4148v (1 for type)

Note: Emmett does not mention a star in the field on this issue. Also, this example has gorgeous, toned silvered surfaces, rarely found on potin tetradrachms.


Anonymous Issue under Caligula, AE Hemiobol, 36/37 (Year 2), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Heron standing left
(No legend)
Apis bull standing right
L B above
14mm x 15mm, 2.02g
Emmett 4257 (1)
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007; Ex Bill Kalmback Collection, January 2000


?, AE Chalkon (Year 4), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Bare (?) head right, damnatio (?) across portrait
(No legend)
Grain ear
L | D across fields
11mm x 12mm, 0.60g
Emmett ? (?)
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007


?, AE Chalkon (Year 3), Egypt-Alexandria
(No legend)
Laureate head right
(No legend)
Elpis standing facing, head left, flower upward in right hand, hitching skirt with left
L | G across fields
10mm x 11mm, 0.47g
Emmett ? (?)
Ex Keith Emmett Collection, December 2007


Last modified: May 08, 2008