Another recent purchase of mine: Hadrian is depicted on this sestertius in a wonderfully artistic and classical style, with an excellent strike and state of preservation. Hadrian Æ sestertius. Rome, 134-138 AD. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian right. / Hadrian bare-headed and in military dress standing right, holding spear and parazonium and resting foot on crocodile, S-C in fields. 27.23g, 34mm. RIC II 782, C. 1384 Two die matches: Double die match sold by Stacks & Bowers 2013 Reverse die match sold by Gadoury 2018 Here again is the portrait of Hadrian, which I think is a real gem: Anyone that has familiarity with the coins of Hadrian, I am wondering what the meaning or event was that occasioned the striking of this reverse type? I assume it has relation to Egypt given the crocodile, was it struck to celebrate Hadrian's visit to Egypt?
A close inspection shows it is misdescribed. It is really "left foot squashing a rabbit running right" as the two big ears show.
Yes, the reverse was issued to commemorate his Egypt visit. RIC also describes the reverse as Hadrian-Horus.
Great new sestertius and excellent portrait! I have this Hadrian As with a unique bust with bulging pecks and broad muscular shoulders, of which I've not found similar online... Hadrian, Ruled 117-138 AD AE As, Struck 125-128 AD, Rome Mint Obverse: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right. Reverse: COS III, Salus, draped, standing right, feeding out of patera in left hand snake held in right, S-C across field. References: RIC II 669c Size: 25.5mm, 9.1g Notes: Superior design and rendering of bust of Hadrian on obverse. None similar found in online databases.
Gorgeous!! This is my most recent Hadrian acquisition: Hadrian, AD 117-138. Roman AR denarius, 3.28 g, 18.1 mm, 6 h. Rome, late AD 125-early AD 128. Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head, right, drapery on far shoulder. Rev: COS III, Diana standing half front, head right, holding arrow and bow. Refs: RIC 147; BMCRE 334-36; RSC 315a; Strack 153; RCV 3466; UCR 298.
Well, that's no ordinary rabbit. That's the most foul, cruel and bad tempered rodent you've ever set eyes on!
I really like this anepigraphic reverse. I only have a very worn example in silver. HADRIAN AR Denarius. 3.12g, 18.9mm. Rome mint, AD 134-138. RIC 294d; Sear 3551; BMCRE III p. 338, *. O: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate head right. R: No legend, Hadrian standing right, wearing military garb, inverted spear in right hand, parazonium in left hand, left foot on crocodile. On clearer examples, the identity of the “crocodile” is readily apparent.