Couple of weeks ago I acquired this hadrian from Matt, Lost Duchman here on CT, via some ancients he had for sale here. I bought it solely for the reverse. I knew it was pretty common but when I got it in the mail I noticed something off, no Laureate on the head. So as usual I skimmed all known research sites and only found 1 eastern and none via Rome mint. Talked to Curtis Clay regarding it and his reply is below: Strack 187 records that bare-headed bust type in Vienna, Florence, and Oxford. Oxford spec. illustrated pl. III, looks like same obv. die as yours. Seaby's Roman Silver Coins, Hadrian 466a, records this variety from Strack. Certainly rare! So the coin ended up being a rare acquisition. I have no idea the RIC #, if there is one. Anyone knows I would appreciate what it is, thanks! Hadrian ( 17 - 138 A.D.) AR Denarius O:HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, Bare head right. R: COS III, seven stars within and above crescent. 3.3g 19mm
Nice score for you, Mat ... ummm, but not so nice for the other "Matt" => oh well, at least the coin has been elevated to a new cool status!! (good for it!!)
A great find. These eastern issue denarii are not well documented. RSC 466a is a good reference to hang this one off as I can't find it in RIC with RSC citing Strack. Strack seems to be the main reference for these but finding it is a challenge. I have a small collection of about half a dozen of these eastern oddities. A good catch. Regards, Martin
Hadrian AR Denarius., 117-138 AD, 3.1g, 18mm OBV: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, Laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder. REV: COS III, Pudicitia standing left, covering face with veil. REF: RIC 176, RSC 392. This coin is not a eastern mint coin but is another low grade one I got as part of a lot for $8. My only Hadrian coin at the moment.
These eastern examples can turn up some interesting examples too. Hadrian Denarius Obv:- HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head right with slight drapery on far shoulder (Legend reversed as AVGVSTVS HADRIANVS) Rev:- COS III, Victory standing right holding wreath and palm (Legend reversed as III COS) Minted in Eastern Mint. A.D. 129-131 Reference:– BMCRE -. Strack -. RIC -. RSC -. Apparently unpublished. Strack knew just three Eastern denarii with this transposed obv. legend, including one with a Minerva standing rev. type in the Trau coll., Strack's pl. XVIII, *18. Curtis Clay has another example with this obverse with the Minerva type. This would appear to be a fifth specimen from this obverse die but with a new reverse type. Additional information on this coin from Curtis Clay:- "Interesting. Apparently a new rev. type on the Eastern denarii, of uncertain origin. That's admittedly a fairly standard Victory advancing right rev. type, but I find no such type on any denarius of Hadrian from the mint of Rome, nor on his Asian cistophori. A similar type does occur on Hadrian's silver quinarii, and on a rather scarce denarius of Trajan struck in 112 but these seem unlikely sources for a type on Hadrian's Eastern denarii. Moreover on the Roman coins Victory grasps the stem of the palm over her shoulder in her left fist, thumb upwards, whereas on the Eastern denarius she palms the stem, holding it with her downwards pointing thumb while apparently keeping her fingers extended. I imagine that this detail may go back to the source copied, since it seems unlikely that the engraver changed it on his own whim."
So mine is eastern then? Cause I saw an example on Zach B. page but it didnt look anything like mine & the style looks nothing like yours either. Mine looks pure rome mint.
I have made a mistake reading my references here. Your coin is Rome mint. Apologies for the confusion. I think I should just revert to lurking again.... Bye for now.
