Hadrian's Sword Belt

I'm usually more into the reverses of coins than the obverses, but in this case I really did pick this one up for the bust type. It's a small detail, but I found it interesting - the strap of a balteus (sword belt) across Hadrian's right shoulder and chest.

From a CNG sale description: "This rare portrait type shows Hadrian wearing a balteus, a belt used to suspend a sword. This rare variety was missed by both the cataloguers of RIC and RSC." My seller's tag has a little more information: "cited by both BMC and Strack-110 from a single specimen in the Reka Devnia hoard."

The balteus, also known as a baldric, used a strap slung obliquely across the shoulder to support a sword worn at the waist. Where other emperors may have favored decorated or bejeweled sword belts, Historia Augusta purports that Hadrian "generally wore the commonest clothing [and] would have no gold ornaments on his sword-belt".

Do feel free to post any bust varieties you especially like.


HADRIAN
AR Denarius
3.23g, 20.9mm
Rome mint, AD 119-122
RIC 82 var. (bust type); BM 164 note
O: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, balteus (sword belt) strap over shoulder and across chest.
R: P M TR P COS III, Concordia seated left, holding patera.

Here's a bust of Trajan showing him wearing a balteus.


And for those interested, Zach Beasley's Hadrian page has an illustrated overview of Hadrian bust types at the top:
http://www.beastcoins.com/RomanImperial/II/Hadrian/Hadrian.htm

 

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A very interesting type. Congrats!

I do not have a Hadrian yet.

 

Nice .... I love your new Hadrian addition (OKI is gonna be pissed, my friend ... fricken pissed!!)



Ummm, I'm gonna post my examples and then look if they have the strap of balteous (I like you)




umm, it doesn't look like I have the strap, eh? ... frick, I like you

Great new coin, my friend (cha-ching!!)

 

I'm pretty sure Oki already has this angle covered. Is he not the King of Hadrian coins?

 

Thats a great portrait and interesting bit of the strap. Never would have noticed.

 

Very interesting indeed. Just yesterday I bought a denarius of Hadrian on which he's also sporting a balteus. Unfortunately I have only the seller's fuzzy image to share at the moment...



But unlike you, I bought this coin for the reverse. An early series of Hadrian's denarii has the names of the gods spelled out in exergue, in this case PAX. I always thought that was odd - did the Romans really NEED their gods spelled out on the coins?

 

In your second coin (tetradrachm) he appears to be wearing a sword strap.

 

thanks for having my coin-back ... you're top-drawer, Princess

 

Wonderful coin and like Mat, I wouldn't have noticed the 'balteus' otherwise.

My Denarius and Sestertius do not seem to have it.....

 

a "balteus" hu, neat....didn't know that one.

it's a cool hadrian you got there Z! my only one is a strapless model...





i did find this beetle the the name Parmena balteus, i was looking for another pic of a balteus.



i wonder if they named him that because it looks like he's wearing a little belt between his abdomen and thorax?

 

My bare shouldered denarius:

 

Hmmm, wait a minute => that may be a World Coin beetle?






... this never gets old, eh? ...

 

Very nice and very interesting Z. I never thought to look for the sword belt, but will from now on. Unfortunately, none of my Hadrians seem to be sporting a balteus. I own several of his coins, but this bust is one of my favorites:

HADRIAN
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head right, draped left shoulder
REVERSE: P M TR P COS III, Aeternitas standing front, her head turned left and holding the heads of the sun and moon in hands
Struck at Rome, 119-122 AD
3.46g. 17mm
RIC 114

 

I was just thinking about this thread and wondering if Hadrian did not favor decorated or bejeweled sword belts, if he carried a typical soldier's gladius or a long sword (mounted cavalry type). Just musing.

 

Thats a cool find!

 

Nice piece Z and cool coins all.

 

hela holaa,

A nice Baldric strap u have there

 

Hadrian Denarius Roma 117 AD Concordia
Reference.
RIC 9; RSC 248

Obv. IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA:
Laureate, bust right, baldric (sword) strap around neck and across chest, loop on shoulder, seen from front.

Rev. PARTH F DIVI NER NEP P M TR P COS CONCORD in Ex.
Concordia, draped, seated left on throne, holding patera in right hand and resting left on figure of Spes on low base; cornucopiae under throne.

 

a nice piece my friend

 

Awesome coin and interesting info about it zumbly!