Egypt. Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138 AD. Tetradrachm (Billon, 25.28 mm, 12.85 g). Dated L I Γ= year 13 (128 / 129 AD) ΑΥΤ KAI TPAI AΔPIA CEB Laureate, cuirassed and draped bust of Hadrian right, seen sideways from the back. Rev. CABINA CEBACTH L I Γ Draped bust of Sabina with chiton and peplos right, seen in profile; her hair is gathered up around a tiara and some curls falling down till above the neck. Vogt I, p. 1092. Vogt II, p. 51. BMC 560-567. Dattari 1240. Geissen 997. RPC III 5729. Emmett 886. Staffieri, G. M., Alexandria in Nummis, p. 187, Muzzano 2017. Cf. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp. 77-81. Extremely Fine with slight overstrucking on reverse.

Ex Numismatics Fine Art, Price List October 1988, lot 866.

This coin worthily celebrates the imperial couple in the year in which they began their "Grand Tour" through the eastern empire’s provinces and the year before their arrival and stay in Egypt. It is of a superior artistic quality, the work of a Hellenistic-Roman master engraver. The portraits fully interpret the majesty of the imperial couple and bear witness to it forever over time.