Hadrian Æ Diobol of Alexandria, Egypt. Dated RY 15 = AD 130/1. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑ [СЄΒ], laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Laureate figure of the Emperor, in military dress, seated left on galley, raising right hand and holding sceptre; behind, steersman; LI-E (date) across fields. Köln 1032; RPC III 5785; Dattari (Savio) 1582; Emmett 1127. 10.76g, 26mm, 11h.

Near Extremely Fine. Rare.

From the inventory of a North American dealer.

This pleasing reverse type can be seen in the context of Hadrian's departure from Egypt, likely in November AD 130; after the death of his favourite Antinous in October whilst the imperial entourage were sailing the Nile, Hadrian founded the city of Antinopolis near where the boy drowned as the centre of the official cult of Antinous, whom he deified.