AR24 - Hadrian L Β

Hadrian's first Alexandrian regnal year issues — dated L Β, his second year — actually bridge his accession in August 117 AD and reflect the administrative scramble following Trajan's death in Cilicia. The Alexandria mint, long accustomed to producing billon tetradrachms, briefly returned to higher silver content in the opening years of his reign before the gradual debasement that would characterize later Antonine-era output resumed.