I have the opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do: hike Hadrian’s wall. Time constraints mean I cannot walk the entire length of the wall — that will have to wait for another day — but I will be able to hike major portions, along with side trips to see the forts and museums along the way. I wanted a coin to commemorate the event. I hoped for a coin of Hadrian found in England, but find location unfortunately doesn’t travel with the coin. I found the next best thing: a Hadrian from a UK dealer that commemorated Hadrian’s voyages: Hadrian AE Sestertius Rome mint, 125 - 128 CE 32 mm 28.04 grams Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder Rev. C-OS - II-I, Neptune, standing right, chlamys draped over left thigh, his left foot upon a galley prow, holding a trident with his right hand and galley stern with his left. NEP - RES / S - C across fields. Neptune Redux was to thank Neptune for safely returning Hadrian to Rome from his travels around the empire. During those travels Hadrian spent time in Britannia, where about 122 he ordered the construction of his namesake wall. A coin commemorating his trip seems a fitting momento for my trip.
Nice Hadrian @Silverlock and congrats on hiking the wall. I enjoy hiking so that is something I'd love to do some day. Here's my Hadrian AE. Roman Empire Hadrian (AD 117-138) AE Sestertius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 134-138 Dia.: 31 mm Wt.: 22.77 g Obv.: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate and draped bust right Rev.: PIETAS AVG, Pietas standing left, praying with hands upraised at altar to left; stork to right, S-C across fields Ref.: RIC II 771
I'd love to see Hadrian's Wall one day. I've only been to England once and that was on business in London. I managed to take a peek at the British Museum but my time was short.
Very appropriate choice , Silverlock Do you live in the UK ? I think this Fortuna sestertius fits Hadrian's voyage as well: Curtisimo, what a great Pietas, as if she's saying , a wall, never heard of it
No argument from me. @Curtisimo and @Andres2 coins are both far nicer than mine. The Neptune reverse is out of my range in better condition, so I consider myself lucky to have found this one. I prefer it to a souvenir mug with “Hadrian’s Wall” on it, which wouldn’t have much cheaper.
Welcome to the club and congratulation to the corresponding coin! I hiked the whole path this summer and will try the German Limes next year... Also I love worn and unpatinated Sestertii...
Beautiful coin. A ship’s rudder is very appropriate. I do not live in the UK and when I visit for work I rarely have time to leave London, which is why this hike is so significant to me.
Congratulations on making the hike. Did you start in the west or east? I’ll be based out of Newcastle, but based on what I’ve read I am thinking of taking the train or the AD122 bus further out and hiking west to east to avoid the wind? I hope it isn’t too late in the season to get passport stamps. I won’t be able to get all seven this time around, but it would be nice to get a few.
I would love to make that hike. Here is an appropriate coin. My new acquisition. Hadrian with a Britannia reverse.
Hi Silverlock. Whilst I still don't think your coin is all that impressive, I may have been harsh in judging. Who knows, it may have a value well beyond some that appear in more elegant attire. And, not least, you appreciate Your Hadrian coin, who I expect has found a special home.
