Egypt. Alexandria. Traianus, 98-117. Drachm (Bronze, 33.40 mm, 25.05 g) Dated RY 12 (= 108-109). [AYT T]PAIAN CEB [ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚΙΚ] Laureate bust of Traianus right, wearing aegis on the left shoulder. Rev. ΠΡΟCωΠΕΙΤΗC NOM[OC] Harpocrates, bare chest, standing facing, bust turned to left, holding the right hand to mouth, wearing crown of disk and horns, drapery on the left arm, LI B (date) across fields. Emmett 748. Geissen - Weber pp. 233-234, plate XIII, 125 b (this coin). Dattari -. BMC -. RPC III 6397.4 (this coin cited) and illustrated). Good very fine.

Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection. Ex CNA XIII, 12.04.1990, lot 227.

The first coin of the series of nomes is a very rare drachm of the year 12 of Trajan (108-109 AD) issued by nomo Prosopite from Lower Egypt. The obverse presents a laureate bust of the sovereign of excellent style and conservation, very realistic, while on the reverse is the Hellenistic-Egyptian personification of Hermanubis to left, dressed in chiton and himation, Nemes and Hem-hem crown on head, while putting a finger of the right hand in his mouth. In fact, it is the Greek rendering of the local Pharaonic deity Harsomtus, corresponding to the combination of Horus, son of Osiris, with Somtus, the “Unifier of the Upper and Lower Egypt”. This drachm is so important and so well preserved as to be cited and illustrated in RPC III 6797, referring of only four specimens extant, and also to have been described, chosen and illustrated by Geissen – Weber pp. 233-234, Plate XIII, n. 125 b.