Egypt. Alexandria. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Drachm (Bronze, 34.21 mm, 19.95 g). Dated RY 8 (= 144/5). AYT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTѠNINOC CƐB ƐYC Laureate head right. Rev. Apis bull standing right, with crescent on side; L H (date) above, altar before. Dattari-Savio 8946. RPC IV.4, 734. 10 (this coin cited). Emmett 1453. Geissen 1468. BMC 1175, pl. XXV (rev.). Very Fine. Rare.

Ex Naville Numismatics Ltd. 39, 29. 04. 2018, lot 284.

Well centered drachm of the fateful eighth year of the reign of Antoninus Pius (144-145 AD), with on the reverse the snappy and imposing image of the sacred Egyptian ox Apis which, deified, connected to Osiris, leads to the main Egyptian divinity: Serapis. The cult of Apis was introduced in the pharaonic era from Memphis and bears the crescent moon imprinted on the body, while in front of it there is a sacrificial altar in Egyptian form.