TYPE Greek Imperial, Athens (Attica), 2nd c. AD, bronze AE20 DESCRIPTION . Obv: Helmeted head of Athena to r. Rev: Athena holding Nike and shield, Greek 'ATHENAION' ("of the Athenians") around, coiled serpent at lower left REFERENCE: LE 1552, Svor 87-13v, BMC 690v, Cop 384v GRADING: VF+ / VF, flan flaw at top of helmet, brown patina, scarce ORDER INFO: G1871, $145 A fine example of this elusive issue from the time and place of the famous "Hadrian's gate" that still stands in central Athens. Although by Imperial times Athens was in many ways far from its former glory, it undoubtedly still carried a special aura. This is attested to not only by symbolic acts like Hadrian comparing himself, on the mentioned monument, to Theseus as the city's champion, but also by the fact that the city had a rare privilege to mint all its coins in a "quasi-autonomous" fashion - without any imperial effigies or insignia. This issue is obviosly heavy on images of its namesake patron-goddess, but also interesting for the reverse serpent; this might be an echo of Cecrops (Kekrops), the legendary half-serpent first king of Attica, during whose reign the fateful divine contest pitting Poseidon against Athena for city patronage was to elevate the latter - along with her olive cultivating art - as a synonym of this great ancient polity.