Nikomedeia (AD 117-138) Cistophoric Tetradrachm - Hadrian and Sabina

Hadrian, with Sabina, 117-138 AD. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (10.61g, 6h), struck after 128 AD. Laureate head of Hadrian right / Draped bust of Sabina right, hair drawn up in elaborate plaiting. VF, toned with areas of purple iridescence. Extremely rare. Only one cistophorus with the busts of Hadrian and Sabina is published (Leo Benz Collection [Lanz 94, 11/1999, lot 531 = Lanz 30 [11/1984], lot 548 [realized 15,000 DM]) and stylistically belongs to Metcalf's Unattributed Mint (Cistophori, pl. 27, 393-404). Our coin, however, was clearly struck at Nicomedia, based on its obverse die link to Metcalf's type B19, no. 43 (obv. die O30). The presence of Sabina's imperial title dates the coin to after 128 AD, the year in which she was made Augusta.

File information
Filename:	700978.jpg
City/Mint name:	Nikomedeia
Rating (6 votes):
Keywords:	roman / silver
References:	??? RIC II -; cf. Metcalf, Cistophori, type B19, 43a (same obv. die [O 30], different rev. type); BMCRE -; RSC -; unpublished variety
Valuation:	CNG Auc. 70 (9/2005), lot 978 ($3,750 + comm)
Photo courtesy of:	Classical Numismatic Group - www.cngcoins.com
Filesize:	75 KiB
Date added:	Sep 24, 2005
Dimensions:	500 x 221 pixels
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URL:	http://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=2841
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