Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 96 5 May 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Octavian Æ 80 Drachmae of Alexandria, Egypt. 30-28 BC. Bare head to right; ΘΕΟΥ ΥΙΟΥ across fields / KAIΣAPOΣ AYTOKPATOPOΣ, eagle standing to left, with closed wings; cornucopiae to left, Π (mark of value) to right. RPC I 5001; Dattari (Savio) 2; Emmett 1. 19.33g, 27mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine. Rare.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
This, the first Roman provincial coinage of Egypt, was a direct copy of the last Ptolemaic bronze coinage issued under Cleopatra, and simply replaced her portrait, name and title with those of Octavian. This incredibly wealthy new addition to Rome's dominions would never be administered directly by the Senate but remained a personal possession of Octavian (later Augustus) and his heirs, governed by an equestrian prefect answerable to the emperor alone, and entry to the province was forbidden to any senator without the emperor's direct approval.
Near Very Fine. Rare.
From the collection of Z.P., Austria.
This, the first Roman provincial coinage of Egypt, was a direct copy of the last Ptolemaic bronze coinage issued under Cleopatra, and simply replaced her portrait, name and title with those of Octavian. This incredibly wealthy new addition to Rome's dominions would never be administered directly by the Senate but remained a personal possession of Octavian (later Augustus) and his heirs, governed by an equestrian prefect answerable to the emperor alone, and entry to the province was forbidden to any senator without the emperor's direct approval.