Hadrian (Roman Emperor 117-138 AD), one of the Five Good Emperors, came from an Italo-Hispanic senatorial background. He was the adopted son and heir of Trajan, who didn’t have a biological heir. He was the cousin of Emperor Trajan and was married to his grandniece, which almost certainly made him heir apparent. It is said that Trajan adopted him on his deathbed even though Hadrian was in Syria at that time. However, some historians argue that the adoption was, in fact, staged by Trajan’s widow Pompeia Plotina. Hadrian’s rule was largely one of peace and consolidation. He did not attempt to expand the borders of the Empire but preferred to secure them and even negotiated a settlement with the Partians. He built Hadrian’s Wall to mark the northernmost border of Britannia and suppressed the Bar Kokhba Revolt in Judea. He has been presented in conflicting terms, a benevolent dictator but remote and authoritarian, generous and curious yet enigmatic, conceited, ambitious and cruel. His marriage was an unhappy and childless one and he in turn adopted Antoninus Pius as his son and heir. Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P, bear-headed, draped bust right / COS III P•P, Hadrian on horseback galloping to right, holding couched lance, cloak billowing behind. RIC 385; C. 501; BMCRE -; Calicó 1247. 7.21g, 20mm, 6h. Unusual metal feature at 12 'clock resembling an inverted trident-head within incuse area. NGC graded XF 5/5 4/5 Fine Style. Described by the auction house as extremely Rare with only 2 other examples on CoinArchives.
I've always liked the reverse of your coin and although I'm focusing on Hadrian's travel series, I've been tempted to acquire one of this type. I find the artistry and rendition of the galloping horse to be particularly appealing. Your mention of Hadrian's suppression of the bar Kokhba Revolt in Judea brings up a particular aureus of that type that I acquired in Triton XXIII early this year: HADRIAN 117 - 138 A.D. AV Aureus (7.27 g., 19.12mm) Rome ca. 136 A.D. RIC II.3 2234 HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P Bare-headed bust r., slight drapery. Rev. VICTORI A AVG Victory, naked to waist, stg. l.,holding eagle with wreath in beak, palm frond in l. hand. Bar Kochba Victory issue.
Great aureus. Suddenly from having no aurei (I hope that is the correct spelling) in my collection I recently became the unexpected but proud owner of 2. Maybe I’ll try to complete one for each of the Five Good Emperors
Coin 1 What's that in his ear? Wax, blood? Coin 2 That's no eagle it's a chicken. Where were you hiding Hadrian when the manure was hitting the fan?
Beautiful aureus @1934 Wreath Crown Enjoy it!!! The five good emperors in gold is a very nice goal to set. I had the opportunity to buy a aureus of Hadrian but I chose Trajan instead. And now I’ve added Antoninus. Don’t see myself having all 5 anytime soon though
1934 Wreath Crown's aureus is a mule, since it erroneously has P P on both sides, as already noted by Cohen/Feuardent 501 who first published such a coin. It is from an old obv. die, which should have been retired when the mint decided to move Hadrian's title P P from the obv. legend to the rev. legend. The same rev. die correctly coupled with an obv. die without P P: Calicó 1246. The new RIC number for your coin is 1056 (R2), listing specimens in Paris, Naples, and Calicó 1247 = NAC 78, 943. Abdy's date: c.129-130 AD.
Its not a mule, I’m certain the listing said a horse @curtisclay thanks for this information. This makes it more unique and valuable I hope. I need some luck like that nowadays. Any idea how many examples of this mule worldwide? Cheers
..very nice coin and goal...you do realize, however, that you will have to get 6 coins...Lucius Verus is one of the '5'(6) good uns...
Yes because of the co-reign (161-169) with Marcus Aurelius. Dang, the wife will have to forgo a piece of jewellery.....update on marital status after this exercise - "pending"!!
I took a look at the coin sold by NAC at auction #78, lot #943 They described it as: "A portrait of enchanting beauty and a finely detailed reverse, die work of a talented master-engraver, absolutely insignificant marks, otherwise good extremely fine." It is a much nicer example than mine (which is also struck in fine style) but it did go for $45,000+ in 2014.To my untrained eye, both coins appear to be from the same dies. Here is that coin in what I would describe as an AU or even Ch AU
1934 Wreath Crown, Congratulations on scoring your magnificent Hadrian aureus ! For a closer visual comparison I've paired the coins together, & they sure look like they were struck from the same dies . Great detective work on your part !
Thanks Al. Glad you like the coin. The detective work was all done by @curtislclay, I only coloured-in the chalk outline he had drawn. Just goes to show that sometimes even a novice like me can strike gold
These are truly beautiful coins, and at the risk of junking up the thread, I'm going to offer up one of my uglies. My justification for lowering standards is that this is a Bar Kochba issue, at least according to RIC: "The main denarius and aes types with VICTORIA AVG slogan (legend on denarii only - the aes with the same theme is anepigraphic) feature an unusual winged Victory superstitiously lifting drapery to spit on her own chest to ward off ill-fortune and syncretised with Pax in holding the branch of peace. This is the type of Nemesis (fate) which along with Justitia can be read as the Roman view of giving Bar Kochba and his rebellion their 'just deserts.' Nemesis-Victory admittedly does not die link into the group but thematically it is clearly linked to the evens of 136." (Richard Abdy, Peter Mittag, Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume II, Part 3, p. 27) https://www.google.com/books/editio...pg=PA27&printsec=frontcover#spf=1592069914989 Mine is a sestertius, and finding out that Nemesis-Victory is lifting her drapery in order to spit on her own chest pretty much made my week. Yuck, and yet how cool is that? Hadrian Æ Sestertius (136 (RIC); c. 134-138 A.D.) Rome Mint [HADRI]ANVS AVG C[OS III P P], laureate head right / S-C, Pax-Nemesis advancing right, holding out fold of dress in apotropaic gesture and branch. RIC II.3 2288 (RIC 779); Cohen 1374; BMC 1549. (21.14 grams / 29 mm)
Here's a lovely coin (not mine) at acsearchinfo. It portrays the two Nemeseis of Smyrna, each pulling out their chitons to spit on their bosom. As per their standard iconography, one holds a bridle and the other holds a rod.
