Egypt. Alexandria. Trajan, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.4 mm, 22.88 g). Dated RY 14 (= 110/11). ΑΥΤ ΤΡΑΙΑΝϹ-ΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ Laureate bust right, with slight drapery and aegis. Rev. Emperor, holding branch and scepter, driving quadriga of elephants right; L IΔ (date) above. Geissen 550. Dattari (Savio) 766-7. K&G 27.316. RPC III, 4510.3. Emmett 462. Milne 621. Brown patina. Good Very Fine.

Ex Kerry K. Wetterström Collection. Ex CNA Ltd. XIII, 04.12. 1990, lot 30.

The exceptional nature of this drachm, as anyone can see, derives from the strange inverting of the position of the two dies at the time of the beat, contrary to the practice. In fact, the planchet, normally cone-shaped, here presents the image of the obverse on the base of the cone instead of the vertex, with the impression of a wider than usual diameter, for the obverse of the coin, and narrower for the reverse. Beyond this unique variety the coin is well centered with an excellent brown patina, little circulated.