Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 481 2 Dec 2020
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Diobol (24mm, 9.30 g, 12h). Dated RY 6? (AD 142/143). Laureate head right / Draped bust of Serapis right, wearing calathus, above large right foot; L ς (date) to right. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) –; K&G –; RPC IV.4 16999/1 (this coin cited and illustrated); Emmett –. Dark brown patina with touches of green and red, roughness. VF. Extremely rare, perhaps unique, the only example cited by the authors of RPC.
One of the great rarities in the Alexandrian series. The reverse type is most often thought to represent the colossal statue of Serapis by Bryaxis, as "the god's right foot and ankle were the only parts of the statue which were within reach of the worshipper." Since a statue of a god was "no less potent than the god himself," and touching it "could effect a cure," then the type "merely portrays a familiar but distinctive piece of religious apparatus."
One of the great rarities in the Alexandrian series. The reverse type is most often thought to represent the colossal statue of Serapis by Bryaxis, as "the god's right foot and ankle were the only parts of the statue which were within reach of the worshipper." Since a statue of a god was "no less potent than the god himself," and touching it "could effect a cure," then the type "merely portrays a familiar but distinctive piece of religious apparatus."