Egypt. Alexandria. Aelius, as Caesar, 136-138. Tetradrachm (Billon, 24.98 mm, 12.60 g). Struck 136/7. Λ ΑΙΛΙΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ Bare head right. Rev. [ΔΗΜ] ΕΞΟΥ-Ϲ ΥΠΑΤ Β Omonoia standing left, sacrificing from patera over altar and holding cornucopia. Geissen 1271 var. (arrangement of rev. legend). Dattari-Savio 7988 (this coin). RPC III, 6141. Emmet 1350. BMC 921. Cfr. Savio, Tetradrammi alessandrini, pp.77-80. Toned, minor porosity. Very Fine.

Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, Il Cairo, 7988. Ex Savoca, Milano, 17.01.1978.

There is only one series of Alexandrian coins, from the misture tetradrachm to the bronze obolus consecrating the nomination of Aelius Verus as Caesar, i.e. heir to the imperial throne by the inform and aged Hadrian, but fate would have it that he died before him on 1 January 138 AD. This beautiful tetradrachm, already in Dattari Collection, is of great stylistic value and the images on both sides are statuesque and protruding, almost coming out from the flan.