Yup, as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti, I finally got myself a Hadrian Africa denarius. I think this issue and Aegyptos are probably the most affordable way that one can start on Hadrian's Travel series. My coin has a slightly irregular shape, but pleasing to me, and I think it's in generally decent condition for the generally decent price I paid for it. If you have any coins from Hadrian's Travel series to post, please pile on! HADRIAN Denarius (3.24g, 18mm) Rome, 136 AD. RIC 299. O: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right. R: AFRICA, Africa reclining left holding scorpion and cornucopia, basket of grain at feet.
Yours is an absolutely sweet coin! The Travel series is a little harder to collect than I thought it would be. Some issues are really quite scarce and they're always popular.
oh cool Z....one of the travel series is on my list. i think there are more coin] on my list than not on my list by now.
Lovely coin. I wouldnt mind getting a set over time. Some can be affordable. But I have a few pots on the fire, dont need another right now.
What is Hadrian's Travel Series? ROMAN EGYPT ALEXANDRIA Hadrian AE Drachm 117-138 A.D. 27.00 grams, 34 mm. Obv: Laur. Dr. Cuirassed bust right AYT.KAI (Hadrian).APIC.CEB Rev: Hadrian in quadriga of elephants right. LENΔE.KATOV Grade: Fine light chocolate brown color Other: Sear 1175 (pg 151) B.M.C.G.860, Milne 1216var., Koln 967var. Rare 15 leg variety much like the USA 3-legged buffalo nickel? On the obverse legend: AYT= AVTOKPATOP = Emperor KAI= KAICAP = Caesar APIC.CEB = Optimus Augustus
Hadrian traveled to almost every province during his reign, and a series of coins in both bronze and silver commemorated his globetrotting. You've got Africa, Alexandria, Arabia, Asia, Bithynia, Britain, Cilicia, Gaul, Hispania, Italia, Iudaea, Macedonia, Mauretania, Moesia, Noricum, Phrygia, Sicilia, and Thracia. Put that collection together!
Ummm, does this count as a Hadrian Alexandria? .... yah, I'm sorry, but I never get tired of posting that coin!! (cheers)
Nice coin, Zumbly! The irregular shape of the flan adds to its appeal actually. Yes, a very popular series - i think I have one or two.
It's a great coin of course, Steve, but technically no. The coins that commemorate his travels were minted in Rome. I agree with Eduard about the irregular flan on Z's coin - definitely adds character. Weird flans never bother me if the coin has nice detail.
This counts. It is my only travel denarius. It is also my reddest toned denarius. While in Africa, Hadrian did some upgrading of the infrastructure which he commemorated with this as reading RESTITVTORI AFRICAE.
Thanks for the comments and posting your coins, everyone. The shape of this coin definitely contributes to its charm. For those restricting themselves to just the Hadrian Travel series denarii, RIC lists the following varieties : Aegyptos Africa Alexandria Asia Germania Hispania Italia Nilvs
These are also as gold aureus. There is a magnificent Africa one for sale coming up on G&M. The start price is rather huge!
