EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branch

[okidoki]

Dear cf,

Here's a very rare variant, only one other Asclepius with an olive branch/tree
https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/217/

not sure what is the link with him and olive



Reference.
Emmett 918.19; RPC III, 5959.3 = Dattari-Savio Pl. 76, 1624 (this coin). Dattari 1624 and Pl. X (this rev. illustrated).

Issue   L ƐΝΝƐΑΚ·Δ = year 19

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙС ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СƐΒ
Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear

Rev. L ENNEAK Δ
Asclepius standing facing head right, holding long serpent-staff, holding olive-branch

25.18 gr
33.5 mm

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-155249

[quadrans]

Great find, Eric, 

Joe

[Meepzorp]

Hi oki,

Nice coin!

Meepzorp

[okidoki]

Thank you coin friends the olive branch must be an engravers error?

[archivum]

This could be a healing plant; he is credited with discovering the supposed healing virtues of betony.

[okidoki]

This could be a healing plant; he is credited with discovering the supposed healing virtues of betony.

yes a good point, or healing oil

[archivum]

Maybe more to the point than my previous note, Asclepius is a herbalist founder-figure (inventor herbarum) in many ancient contexts; on your outstanding coin, he is holding not one but two ID'ing attributes, both the standard serpent-staff and (let's say) a generic healing herb. We find him with a sprig on similar rare coin (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/7314/) and his daughter Hygieia with a similar branch on another rare issue from Egypt (https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/4/15846/). The RPC coin that you previously cite seems to add Ceres' poppy for good measure; opium poppies are potent herbs, too, fitting features of Asclepius' repertoire.