Year 18 of Hadrian's reign — rendered on Alexandrian bronzes as L ΙΗ — fell during the emperor's second extended tour of Egypt, a visit that had profound administrative consequences for the province. Alexandria operated its own closed currency system under Roman rule, meaning these bronzes circulated internally and were never intended to leave Egypt; imports of Roman imperial coinage were officially exchanged at the border.
The dating formula by regnal year is a direct inheritance from Ptolemaic practice, preserved intact by Rome for over a century of occupation.
Year 18 of Hadrian's reign — rendered on Alexandrian bronzes as L ΙΗ — fell during the emperor's second extended tour of Egypt, a visit that had profound administrative consequences for the province. Alexandria operated its own closed currency system under Roman rule, meaning these bronzes circulated internally and were never intended to leave Egypt; imports of Roman imperial coinage were officially exchanged at the border.
The dating formula by regnal year is a direct inheritance from Ptolemaic practice, preserved intact by Rome for over a century of occupation.