AR23 - Hadrian L Β

This is a year 2 (L Β) issue from Hadrian's reign, placing it within months of his accession following Trajan's death in August 117. The Alexandria mint wasted no time — provincials struck in Hadrian's name began appearing almost immediately, partly because Egypt's prefect Quintus Marcius Turbo was a close Hadrianic ally and the province needed to signal loyalty fast. The billon tetradrachm series from this precise transitional moment is historically loaded: Hadrian had not yet visited Egypt, which he would not do until 130–131 AD.