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Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D., Roman Provincial Egypt
L EN abbreviates L ENATOY, Greek meaning the 9th year (here, the regnal year of Hadrian). The L is not actually Greek. It is an Egyptian symbol for year, perhaps derived from a hieroglyphic. EN could also abbreviate ENΔEKATOY, meaning 11th, and it has been read that way, but RPC Online notes L EN is the normal formula for year 9 on Alexandrian coins of this size. Year nine could also be written L Θ, but theta (Θ), was used as an abbreviation for Thanatos (death) and used as a warning symbol of death, in the same way that skull and crossbones are used in modern times. It survives on potsherds used by Athenians voting for the death penalty. Also, after a funeral "Nine Days of Sorrow" were solemnly observed by the Roman family. Romans avoided the use of theta, as we avoid the use of the number 13 today.RX113513. Bronze dichalkon, RPC Online III 5555 (5 spec.); SRCV II 3849; Emmet 1201.9 (R4); BMC Alexandria p. 97, 835 var. (aegis); Kampmann -; Geissen -; Dattari -, VF, green patina, earthen deposits, cleaning marks, rev. edge beveled, edge ragged with splits, Alexandria mint, weight 1.939g, maximum diameter 13.7mm, die axis 315o, 124 - 125 A.D.; obverse laureate head of Hadrian right, anepigraphic; reverse rhinoceros (or hippopotamus) walking right, L EN (year 9) above; Coin Archives records only two specimens of the type at auction in the last two decades; rare; SOLD
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