© Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
© Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
Æ Drachm - Antoninus Pius Selene in Cancer; Alexandria
| Bronze | 24.57 g | 33 mm |
| Issuer | Alexandria (Egypt) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Antoninus Pius (Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius) (138-161) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 144-145 |
| Value | Drachm (1) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 24.57 g |
| Diameter | 33 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#392663 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Draped bust of Selene right; star of eight rays before, crescent moon below, crab beneath all.
Comment
Alexandria saw an immense output of coinage during the eighth year of Antoninus Pius’s reign. The Zodiac drachms, mythological types, and a host of issues for the nomes appeared that year. One explanation for this activity centers on the celebration of the renewal of the Great Sothic cycle, the point when the star Sothis (Sirius) rises on the same point on the horizon as the sun. This cycle of 1461 years began early in the reign of Pius in AD 139, and apparently prompted a renewal in the ancient Egyptian religion, while the coin types also stressed the connections to the Greco-Roman Pantheon.
Interesting fact
The coin features a unique design on its reverse side, depicting the goddess Selene (the Greek goddess of the moon) riding a chariot pulled by two horses. This design was meant to symbolize the Roman Empire's dominance over the lunar cycle and the passage of time.
