- Stock: Sold
- Model: Tiberius Hippo
Egypt, Alexandria Tiberius, 14-37 Obol circa 18-19 (year 5), Æ 20.00 mm., 4.84 g.
Bare head r. Rev. ΤΙΒΕΡΙΟΥ Hippopotamus r; in exergue, LE. Dattari 101. RPC 5082.
Nice dark green patina, Good Fine.
Although Tiberius reigned for more than two decades, Alexandrian coinage under his rule is surprisingly scarce. The local mint produced a limited series of tetradrachms in billon (mistura), issued between regnal years 7 (20/21 AD) and 23 (36/37 AD). Bronze coinage, by contrast, was confined to just a handful of obols and dichalkoi, struck only between regnal years 3 (16/17 AD) and 6 (19/20 AD). Once the available bronze was exhausted, Alexandrian production shifted almost exclusively to silver-alloy coinage. This obol, dated to year 5 of Tiberius’ reign (18–19 AD), is one of those rare early bronzes. The obverse portrait of the emperor follows the convention of depicting him with a perpetually youthful appearance, emphasizing the timeless vitality of imperial power. On the reverse appears the first numismatic depiction of the hippopotamus, an animal closely tied to the sacred and life-giving waters of the Nile. It symbolizes fertility, abundance, and the deep connection between Egyptian culture and its river.