Reference Strack *43 Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P. Laureate head right; draped left shoulder. Rev: COS III. Victory seated left, holding wreath and palm. 2.88 gr 20 mm 7h
I've always wanted an Eastern Hadrian but it has not happened yet. I became aware of then from the ten in the Michael Kelly sale back in 1997 but I spent all my money that day on his Eastern Severans. Now we are working on 20 years since then and I'm still dragging feet. Will this be the year?
Now when y'all say "eastern mint" what exactly do you mean? Were these minted somewhere and they just don't know where? Or were these found in the east? Or... something else? Tell us a little bit more about what makes this/these special. Also.... newb alert.... when you say "7h" what does that mean? I know grams and millimeters, but I'm not sure what the 7h is referring to.
an eastern mint is a copy of a Roman mint this coin is Rome mint with same obverse and reverse as coin above often the style is better, also the legends are better in style, that it in short..
That's a great coin! The Rome mint under Hadrian was tough to compete with, the OP coin sure gave it a good try. Here is a rare Eastern mint copy of a common Rome type. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.32g Antioch mint, 72-73 AD RIC 1553 (R3), BMC - , RSC - , RPC - Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: AVGVR above TRI POT below; priestly implements Ex Ibercoin Auction 18.1, 3 December 2014, lot 5106. And here is the common Rome version. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.50g Rome mint, 72-73 AD RIC 356 (C3), BMC 64, RSC 45 Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: AVGVR (above) TRI POT (below); Priestly implements Acquired from Nilus Coins, June 2004. The only way to tell them apart is by style. The Eastern mint denarius was misattributed from Rome and I got it for a song.
I have this one I have identified as Rome mint, but it looks more like your Eastern mint @David Atherton. What do you think?
Unfortunately Rome. The biggest tip off for me in picking out the rare Antioch types is the lettering. Look at how crude it is compared with the Rome mint's neat and fine legend. And of course the portrait style is quite different too. Here is another. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.11g Antioch mint, 72-73 AD RIC 1557 (R2), BMC 509, RSC 618, RPC 1929 (1 spec.) Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory stg. r., crowning standard and holding palm Ex Pegasi 140, 2 August 2011, lot 319. Compare to Rome. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.42g Rome Mint, 72-73 AD RIC 362 (C2), BMC 74, RSC 618, Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory stg. r., crowning standard and holding palm Acquired from Incitatus Coins, July 2004. Again, the legend style is the first clue.
The reverse legends vary somewhat and the style of the portrait is different. The placement of the drapery around Venus is different, too. Rome mint: Eastern Mint:
Very nice! This is best eastern danarii IVLIA DOMNA AVG, Draped bust right; FORTVN REDVC, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia Unlisted Syrian mint.
I used to collect these eastern Hadrian denarii but have parted with a few recently. My favourite eastern Hadrian remains 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.
