Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Hadrian facing right.

Reverse: Canopi of Osiris and Isis facing (Canopic Jars)facing, L-I-H ( regnal year)

RPC: 5881. Dattari: 1661. Milne: 1419 [Alexandria, AD 133-134].

Diameter: 32 mm. Weight: 22.4 g.

An extremely rare bronze hemidrachm of Alexandria struck in Egypt during the reign of Hadrian. In ancient Egypt Canopic jars were used to store the organs that were removed from the body during the mummification process, specifically the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines. The term “canopic” to describe such vessels is a misnomer, actually being derived from the port city of Canopus, where the god Osiris was worshipped in the form of a jar. The depiction on the reverse of this coin bears a striking resemblance to a monumental canopic jar (see last photo) discovered in the 18th century at the site of the Antinoeion - a temple complex devoted to Hadrian's deceased lover Antinous located along the monumental entrance of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli. A beautiful example of a sought after type - good detail with a pleasing toffee patina. It is sold with a letter of authentication from Merseyside County Museum dated 1976.