Potin Tetradrachm - Carus - Alexandria - Eagle Reverse

This billon tetradrachm was struck at Alexandria under Carus, who reigned from 282 to 283 AD. The regnal date L A in the field marks it as a first-year issue, dating it to 282 AD. The obverse shows the cuirassed bust of Carus with a Greek legend giving his imperial titles, in keeping with Alexandria's long tradition of striking its own Greek-legended coinage separate from the rest of the empire.

The reverse depicts an eagle standing with a wheat stalk in its talons or beak. The eagle is a standard emblem of Zeus/Jupiter and imperial authority, commonly used on Alexandrian coinage to signal legitimacy at the start of a reign. The wheat stalk alludes to Egypt's agricultural abundance and its role as a grain source for Rome. Together the two symbols pair Roman imperial power with Egypt's local identity as a land of fertility and grain.

7.59g

18.5 mm