I agree that it appears to be rare. I searched some of the common resources and only found one other example (on Wildwinds), and they cite other examples although I have not seen those. As for moving your post... nah. We're pretty casual here on the ancients board . If anything, post it again in the other thread (Post Your Hadrians). While you're at it, give it its own thread. It's a nifty coin and might get more attention in its own thread. I'm sure our resident Hadrian maniac nutcase enthusiast (@Okidoki) will be thrilled to see it .
A very nice coin you have there, and i must say a very cool variant, i did not know it. Finding variants makes collecting also a nice hobby. Here is mine.
Oki, That's a sweet looking variant as well!! I've reposted mine again under yours, so they can be viewed together. The 2 Obv.s are nearly identical, apparently, carved by the same hand. I've rotated Hadrian's bust to match your orientation. The layout of the Rev. pictorials & legend layout, though? Wonder if there's a significance to Victory looking Left or Right? I've never researched it, but what does COS III stand for? I see yours has a given catalog designation, 108Hadrian__RIC182. I'd be interested to know if mine does, too. Until seeing yours, the closest was RIC 182 note RSC 359b. Yours appears to be AU. Would mine fit an XF?
Here's a better view of how the designs details appear under different lighting. This 2 frame animated .gif simulates how a coin reflects light when shifted under it. Notice how you might not get to see Victory's facial profile detail with 1 shot. What do you think? Tap the image to enlarge it.
Great coin, UniqueDesigns (congrats) ... but man, I thought I was having a mini-stroke until I realized that your image was actually changing lighting-perspective!!
COS III refers to the third consulship Hadrian received. Many Roman coins can be accurately dated when we know the years in which the emperors received various honors, and those honors are recorded on coins. You can read more about it here.
I haven't been on this thread for a while and I'm absolutely stunned by the varieties!!! On top of all that, we have sphinx's and even MUMMIES!! Incredible!!
They appear to be created by the same artist, but are not a true match from the same die. Many details are just ever so slightly different.
There was a "Roman School" of engraving. Masters of the craft taught apprentices, and they in turn passed down their skills. One can discern stylistic differences between mints, but it's not unusual that all the coins from one mint look like they were engraved by one person. They were not, however. What you're seeing in the similarities is a deliberate attempt by many engravers to adhere to a proscribed Roman style. Only when we find die matches can we claim that both coins come from the same artisan.
MYSIA, Pergamon Hadrian AE 30 Zeus standing Obv. Laureate bust right, seen from front Countermarks. a wreath (Howgego 480). a helmeted bust of Athena right (Howgego 185). Rev. Zeus standing facing Countermark. Telesphoros/telesphorus (Howgego, Greek Imperial Countermarks, 267) 15.67 gr 30 mm
PHOENICIA, Sidon. Hadrian AE 117-18 AD Car of Astarte. Reference. BMC Phoenicia (pg. 181), 226; SNG Copenhagen 253; AUB 234 Obv. ΣΙΔΟΝΟ - Σ ΘΕΑΣ (SIDONO-S QEAS) Laureate head right. Rev. [HKΣ] (date) in exergue. Car of Astarte: Baetyle within, set on two-wheeled base. 8.65 gr 24 mm a very special coin
CAPPADOCIA, Tyana. Hadrian Æ 135-36 AD Tyche Reference. SNG von Aulock 6538-9; Lindgren I 1735; cf SNG Cop 316. Obv. AVTO KAIC TPAIA AΔPIANOC CЄBACTOC. Laureate head right. Rev. TVANЄΩN TΩN T T IЄP ACV AVT. ЄT K (date) across field Tyche seated left on rock, holding grain ears and bunch of grapes; below, river god swimming left, head facing 11.04 gr 25 mm i Found a better type