Reference. very rare Strack *70; RIC--; C.--; BMCRE-- Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P Laureate head right Rev. P M TR P COS III Minerva standing right holding inverted spear in right hand, resting left hand on shield. 2.94 gr 18 mm
Hadrian, Denarius 134-138 AD, Italia Eastern Mint Reference. Strack *76 (Vienna), pl. XX (same dies). Obv: HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Bust laureate r., fold of cloak on front shoulder. Rev: ITA - LIA Italia standing l. holding long scepter and cornucopia. 3.20 gr 19 mm 6h Notes. Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection; ex CNG Esale 302, 8 May 2013, lot 371. Very rare in Eastern style. Strack knew only one specimen, in Vienna; this is from the same die pair.
Hadrian Denarius 134-38 AD Minerva standing Eastern mint Reference. Strack *35; BMCR pag. 379 nr 14; C. 296 Vienna. Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P Laureate bust right. Rev. COS III Minerva standing left, holding thunderbolt and spear, shield at side right. 3.20 gr 20 mm
I usually find denarii, particularly from Vespasian onward, to be a terribly boring thing for me. Too expensive to collect in bulk, too varied to just have one. But the eastern mint issues of Hadrian are fascinating to me! I think there are some rare examples for later Antonine rulers as well?
The last coin is distinctive and believed to be from Antioch. The other eartern mints are unknown, possibly a travelling mint. Their styles are varied and I find them fascinating. I have a few but haven't bought any for ages.
thank you martin, they look so much similar like Hadrian Caesarea http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=5747
I became aware of the subject in the Kelly sale in 1997 but bid on none because I spent more than I want to on Septimius Easterns there. Since that time, I have been looking for one as a sleeper but failed. All seen have been IDed and in 'name' sales. Perhaps I am missing the skills to see them; perhaps they are more scarce than the Eastern Severans by a power of ten or two. Oh, if only I could get Martin to have this attitude, then I could collect Severans again!
Doug, I am pretty sure others don't like me collecting Eastern Hadrians either. Grin. As and when I decide to part with them I know who is going to be offred first refusal. Here is one of my favourites. Hadrian Denarius Obv:- HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, Bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from the rear Rev:- COS III, Mars walking right holding spear and trophy Eastern Mint. Reference:- RIC -. BMCRE -.
AH. Here it is. You can't tell me these aren't the same mint. http://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=310184 EDIT: this is a cistophorus with a suggested mint attribution of Cnidus.