Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1301. Closing Date: Jun 08, 
2005. EGYPT, Alexandria. Annia Faustina, third 
wife of Elagabalus. Augusta 222 AD. BI 
Tetradrachm (11.68 gm, 12h). Dated RY 5 of 
Elagabalus (222 AD). Bidding Closed Estimate 
$500 

EGYPT, Alexandria. Annia Faustina, third wife of 
Elagabalus. Augusta 222 AD. BI Tetradrachm (11.68 
gm, 12h). Dated RY 5 of Elagabalus (222 AD). 
Draped bust right / Nilus reclining left, holding 
reed and cornucopiae; a Genius rising from the 
cornucopaie, three others behind Nilus, two others 
to left, marking a Nilometer; [date in exergue]. 
Köln 2387; Dattari 4196; Milne 2863; Emmett 3038. 
VF, brown patina, porous. ($500)

From the Rudolf Berk Collection.

The Nilometer, a stone obelisk which measured the 
inundation of the Nile, was a prominent landmark 
in Egyptian culture. It was vital as a calendar to 
mark the passing of the seasons and for assessing 
the fertility of the land, which depended on the 
annual Nile flood. It occurrs frequently in 
Egyptian art, surrounded by attendants and the 
fruits of the fertile river.
High bid of $1360, $1564, approx. Euro 1101.6, £748, C$1700, A$1768, on June 8, 2005.

Used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com