Nomos AG
Auction 24 22 May 2022
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EGYPT. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138. Diobol (Bronze, 25.80 mm, 10.79 g, 11 h), year IE = 15 = 130-131. AΥΤ ΚΑΙ - ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙA CEΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. L I-E Emperor, in military dress, seated left on galley, raising his right hand in salutation and holding a scepter in his left; to right, at the galley stern, steersman. Dattari (Savio) 1582. Geissen 1032. K&G 32.513. RPC III 5785. Rare. Clear and attractive, well-struck and with a dark green patina and some earthen highlights. About extremely fine.
From the collection of Jean-Pierre Righetti, ex Roma Numismatics XVIII, 29 September 2019, 762, and from a one-time resident of New Jersey.
This reverse type, which could either celebrate the emperor's arrival or departure from Egypt, can be almost certainly connected to his departure in November 130; following the mysterious death of his favourite, Antinous, who drowned in the Nile that October. While this tale has some similarities to the notorious story of the death of Christo, the antiquity dealer Robin Symes's partner, Hadrian was apparently distraught and founded both a city and a cult in the boy's honour (Symes, of course, did neither).
From the collection of Jean-Pierre Righetti, ex Roma Numismatics XVIII, 29 September 2019, 762, and from a one-time resident of New Jersey.
This reverse type, which could either celebrate the emperor's arrival or departure from Egypt, can be almost certainly connected to his departure in November 130; following the mysterious death of his favourite, Antinous, who drowned in the Nile that October. While this tale has some similarities to the notorious story of the death of Christo, the antiquity dealer Robin Symes's partner, Hadrian was apparently distraught and founded both a city and a cult in the boy's honour (Symes, of course, did neither).