Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 35 29 Oct 2017
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Egypt, Alexandria. Dattari. Hadrian, 117-138 Drachm circa 134-135 (year 19), Æ 32.5mm., 22.55g. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. L ƐΝΝƐΑΚ·Δ Apis bull with crescent on flank, r.; before, altar. Dattari-Savio Pl. 99, 2011 (this coin). RPC 5946.15 (this coin).
Brown patina, Good Fine/About Very Fine.
From the Dattari collection.
In Egyptian mythology, Apis is a sacred bull worshipped mostly in the region of Memphis; he is the son of Hathor, one of the principal goddess in the Egyptian pantheon. He was initially a god of abundance, then the representative of the god Ptah but, in time, was considered Ptah incarnate. He wasn't the only bovine deity in ancient Egypt, but he was the most influent and important one. Apis is usually portrayed as a marching bull, with a solar disc and uraeus above the head. In the late period of Ancient Egypt (525-332 BCE) he is sometimes represented as a man with a head of a bull, and, in Roman Egypt, this was the most famous appearance of the god. During the Ptolemaic Period (323-30 BCE), he was represented in anthropomorphic form as a bearded man, in the style of Greek gods like Zeus, under the name Serapis. The Apis bull was regularly associated with the king of Egypt and, among its many connotations, represented the strength and power of the reigning monarch.
Brown patina, Good Fine/About Very Fine.
From the Dattari collection.
In Egyptian mythology, Apis is a sacred bull worshipped mostly in the region of Memphis; he is the son of Hathor, one of the principal goddess in the Egyptian pantheon. He was initially a god of abundance, then the representative of the god Ptah but, in time, was considered Ptah incarnate. He wasn't the only bovine deity in ancient Egypt, but he was the most influent and important one. Apis is usually portrayed as a marching bull, with a solar disc and uraeus above the head. In the late period of Ancient Egypt (525-332 BCE) he is sometimes represented as a man with a head of a bull, and, in Roman Egypt, this was the most famous appearance of the god. During the Ptolemaic Period (323-30 BCE), he was represented in anthropomorphic form as a bearded man, in the style of Greek gods like Zeus, under the name Serapis. The Apis bull was regularly associated with the king of Egypt and, among its many connotations, represented the strength and power of the reigning monarch.