A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman

Roman Imperial Coinage, Antinoüs, posthumous Drachm, Alexandria, year 21 of Hadrian [136-7], draped bust left wearing hem-hem crown, αντινοου ηρωοε, rev. Antinoüs, as Hermes, on horseback right, cloaked and holding reins and caduceus, l k a in field, 28.53g (Dattari 2089; BMC 926; cf. Sear 3900). Striking split at edge, otherwise fine, very rare £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Distinguished Collection of Roman Bronze Coins, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Provenance: Ars Classica Auction XVI (Lucerne), 3 July 1933, lot 1688; bt Spink August 1935.

Antinoüs, favourite of Hadrian, was born in Bithynia in 111. By 128 he was taken on a tour of the empire as part of Hadrian’s personal retinue. In October 130, as they were taking part in a flotilla on the Nile, Antinoüs died in mysterious circumstances. Whether his death was accidental or deliberate has been the subject of much controversy over the years. Devastated by the event, Hadrian deified Antinoüs and instituted a cult devoted to his worship. He founded the city of Antinopolis on the Nile, close to the spot where he died and initiated commemorative games to be staged at Antinopolis and Athens in his memory