Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Keystone Auction 11 3 Mar 2023
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EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian. AD 117-138. BI Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.84 g, 11h). Dated RY 10 (AD 125/6). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Canopic jar to right; L ΔE KATOY (date) around. Köln 903; Dattari (Savio) 1325; K&G 32.351; RPC III 5578; Emmett 827.10. Toned, slight granularity. Good VF. Well struck and detailed canopic jar.
Canopic jars were used by the Egyptians to contain the internal organs that were removed from bodies in the process of mummification. Starting in the New Kingdom, the tops of the jars were carved or molded in the form of the heads of the four sons of Horus, who protected each organ: Hapy (baboon, lungs), Imsety (human, liver), Duamutef (jackal, stomach), and Qebehsenuef (falcon, intenstines). The one seen on the reverse of this tetradrachm represents Imsety. By Roman times, embalmed bodies no longer had the viscera removed; canopic jars were interred empty and were symbolic in nature.
Canopic jars were used by the Egyptians to contain the internal organs that were removed from bodies in the process of mummification. Starting in the New Kingdom, the tops of the jars were carved or molded in the form of the heads of the four sons of Horus, who protected each organ: Hapy (baboon, lungs), Imsety (human, liver), Duamutef (jackal, stomach), and Qebehsenuef (falcon, intenstines). The one seen on the reverse of this tetradrachm represents Imsety. By Roman times, embalmed bodies no longer had the viscera removed; canopic jars were interred empty and were symbolic in nature.