Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 36 3 Dec 2017
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Egypt, Alexandria. Dattari. Antoninus Pius, 138-161 Drachm circa 153-154 (year 17), 33.5mm., 25.10g. Laureate head l., traces of drapery. Rev. Serpent with head of Sarapis erect, r., wearing kalathos, enfolding stalks of corn; in field, LI-Z. RPC Online 13813 (this coin cited). Dattari-Savio Pl. 145, 2830 (this coin).
Attractive dark brown tone, Good Fine.
From the Dattari collection.
Serapis was a Graeco Egyptian god from Memphis where he was worshipped together with the sacred Egyptian bull Apis.He was later reintroduced and promoted during the reign of Ptolemy I as an effort to combine both aspects of Greek and Egyptian religion.His cult was initially related to the underworld, and it was frequently connected to chtonies deities such as Hades and Demeter; he also combined aspects of Zeus and Asclepios.The god was habitually portrayed in Greek style but with Egyptian ornaments and he often wears a modius on his head.The snake, for its primordial and underground life, has always had a significant but conflicted role: snakes and serpents usually depict fertility, power, but also immortality and healing through the shedding of their skin.In this specimen, Serapis has a snake body and wears a kalathos, enfolding stalks of corn.
Attractive dark brown tone, Good Fine.
From the Dattari collection.
Serapis was a Graeco Egyptian god from Memphis where he was worshipped together with the sacred Egyptian bull Apis.He was later reintroduced and promoted during the reign of Ptolemy I as an effort to combine both aspects of Greek and Egyptian religion.His cult was initially related to the underworld, and it was frequently connected to chtonies deities such as Hades and Demeter; he also combined aspects of Zeus and Asclepios.The god was habitually portrayed in Greek style but with Egyptian ornaments and he often wears a modius on his head.The snake, for its primordial and underground life, has always had a significant but conflicted role: snakes and serpents usually depict fertility, power, but also immortality and healing through the shedding of their skin.In this specimen, Serapis has a snake body and wears a kalathos, enfolding stalks of corn.