Author Topic: Hadrian drachm with lighthouse of Alexandria  (Read 4513 times)

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Offline Victor

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Hadrian drachm with lighthouse of Alexandria
« on: March 24, 2019, 01:28:49 PM »

Here is an interesting coin with the lighthouse of Alexandria. The second picture is a 4th century mosaic of the light house found in Libya.

Hadrian
A.D. 133- 134
Alexandria, Egypt
Ӕ Drachm  35x36mm    24.8g
AVT KAIC TPAIAN AΔPIANOC CEB; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
REV: Isis Pharia stg. r., holding billowing sail with both hands; to right, Pharos of Alexandria surmounted by lantern room, decorated at base by Tritons blowing horns and itself surmounted by statue of Poseidon(?); L IH (date) above.
RPC 5895; Emmett 1002


Julius Caesar even mentioned the lighthouse--

"Now because of the narrowness of the strait there can be no access by ship to the harbour without the consent of those who hold the Pharos. In view of this, Caesar took the precaution of landing his troops while the enemy was preoccupied with fighting, seized the Pharos and posted a garrison there. The result was that safe access was secured for his corn supplies and reinforcements" Civil Wars (Part III, 111–112)