★ A very rare tetradrachm from Laodicea ad Mare ★

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Laodicea ad Mare. Hadrian, 117-138. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 13.58 g, 12 h), CY 168 = 120/1. AYTOKP KAICAP TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC CЄBACT Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right. Rev. [IOYΛI]ЄⲰN TⲰN KAI ΛAOΔIKЄⲰN / ΗΞΡ Turreted and draped bust of Tyche to right. Prieur 1107. RPC III online 3803.5 ( this coin ). Very rare. Numerous old cleaning scratches, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of Eric ten Brink, ex Classical Numismatic Group E-Auction 447, 3 July 2019, 321 and Numis.be Public Auction May 2013, 18 May 2013, 135.

Laodicea struck silver tetradrachms during Hadrian's reign in five consecutive issues, dated civic (Caesarean) years 168-172 (= 120/1 to 124/5). The coins from this first issue are very rare, as Prieur only knew of one example (in his own collection). In recent years, a few more have surfaced, this one perhaps being the finest.