[ancients] Post your Hadrians...

Here is my latest Hadrian... a Quinarius:


Roman Empire
Hadrian CE 119-122
AR Quinarius 1.30g, 14mm Rome
cuirassed
COS III Victory seated wreath palm RIC 108

 

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very nice ROMA auction coin,
small correction ist laureate head right on Obv.
RIC II 108a

 

One of only a couple Hadrians I've got

 

Thank you for the correction Eric!

 

dear Ken,

seems an anonymous quadrans
Bust of Mercury right.
S C, Winged caduceus.
RIC II 31, Cohen 34

 

Yep. From my old collection website:


Anonymous, attributed to the reign of Hadrian, 117 - 138 AD
Æ Quadrans, 14mm, 2.4 grams
Obverse: Bust of Mercury right wearing winged petasus.
Reverse: S C, Winged caduceus.

Reference:
RIC31

Notes:
An enigmatic series of coin or tokens, the exact purpose of their issue is uncertain though most likely tied to either a specific event, such as games, or an issue intended for specific local usage. The most interesting aspect of these coins, as evidenced on this example, is the uncanny resemblance of certain emperors on the portraits of the deities. In this case we see Hadrian being depicted as Mercury.

 

Hadrian Sestertius Roma 132-34 AD Galley left7 viewsReference
RIC 706; Strack 837; C. 657; Banti 337

Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Laureate head right.

Rev. FELICITATI AVG COS III P P S-C in field
Galley moving left with steersman and five rowers; inclined mast with furled sail at prow, acrostolium type ship

23.61 gr
31 mm
12h

Note.
An acrostolium is an ornamental extension of the stem post on the prow of an ancient warship. Often used as a symbol of victory or of power at sea. (numiswiki)
1st-4th Century AD:
The Ship in Imperial Rome

Realizing its importance, Augustus established the Roman navy along lines similar to that of the legions. In addition to a number of key harbors, from which ships could be deployed, he stationed several fleets (Latin classes) in key areas throughout the empire. Among these, the classis Britannica patrolled the channel between Gaul and Britannia, protecting the shipping lanes. Its strategic regional importance is commemorated in the coinage of several of the period usurpers from the area. M. Aurelius Postumus was the first to do so (lots 676-679). His bronze ship issues carry the legend LAETITIA AVG, emphasizing the source of imperial well-being resides in a strong navy. The usurper M. Aurelius Carausius, commander of the classis Britannica under Diocletian, struck coins commemorating, in part, his control of that fleet and its abilities in keeping the sea lanes open (lot 680). His short-lived successor, Allectus, continued the type (lots 681-684).

One important function of the navy was the transportation of the imperial family on state visits. From the time of Augustus, vessels were dispatched to carry the emperor between the capital and the provinces. One such instance is commemorated in a rare bronze as, struck at Patrae in AD 66/7 (lot 609). The reverse depicts the quinquereme used to carry Nero on his infamous tour of Greece. Hadrian’s extensive travels were recorded with a wide variety of ship types struck at Rome (lots 610-622), and in the East (lot 623). An inscription from Ephesus (Syll. III 3241), records that a local captain, L. Erastus, used his ship to transport the emperor while he was in that area. A coin struck at Alexandria (lot 624) is of particular importance for, in the same year as the coin was struck Antinoüs drowned as the imperial party was sailing up the Nile. Hadrian’s successors continued to travel, now to shore up border conflicts or prepare for one of the periodic wars with Persia (lots 625-627; 631-675). By the middle of the third century AD local issues, rather than those minted at the imperial capital, recorded these events, a sign that the center of power was drifting away from Rome itself.

Warships were not the exclusive vessel of the Roman navy. Providing the empire with an uninterrupted supply of grain, as well as other necessary supplies, necessitated the construction of ship for such a purpose. Unlike the warship, which required speed and strength for ramming, the merchantman (Greek nau~ stroggulh; Latin navis oneraria) was of broader beam. Many of these vessels, like the ponto or more common actuaria resembled the shape of a trireme and could be powered by both oars and sails. Since ships of this type were used to transport vital commodities such as wine and grain, they, like the large ponto, are often those shown on coins from the Black Sea (lots 655 and 664-666). The great Roman merchantman, or corbita, often seen in part on imperial issues commemorating the annona, is more familiar (lots 607-608). Powered by two large sails, it featured a rear cabin in the shape of a swan and was the true workhorse of Roman merchant vessels; its type continued well into the Byzantine period.

 

Seeing just about every Hadrian coin ever minted 90% Eric , is in this thread I will slip this Neptune sestertius in to balance it up a bit, Rome 126 AD, 22.2gm, Sear 3584, RIC 635.

 

Very nice highlights of the galley Eric, Is that bronze highlight on a dark patina background?

 

great sestertius Eric , hard to find in such a nice condition , congrats

FELICITATI commemorating Hadrians safe return to Rome from one of his travels abroad. (Galley to the left)

Heres an As, with a galley to the right leaving Rome with the emperor on his way abroad

 

Very Nice As Andre,
even with a hortator at stearn

 

Hadrian Denarius Roma 132-34 AD Pietas
Reference
RIC II 218 corr. (seated right in error) ; Strack 346; C. 1039

Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS.
Bareheaded bust right, with slight drapery.

Rev: PIETAS AVG COS III P P.
Pietas seated left on throne, holding patera and sceptre.

3.16 gr
19 mm

 

Well here are my two Hadrian deneraii .
First is NRCV 3484, second is RCV 3485. I found both within a couple of weeks of each other, it must have been written in the stars!

 

Nice coins @Dafydd. I particularly like the crescent and stars reverse.

 

+1

 

Hadrian Sestertius Roma 118 AD Fortuna
Reference.
RIC 551a; Banti 415

Obv. IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG
Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right

Rev. PONT MAX TR POT COS II S C FORT RED (S-C in field)
Fortuna, draped, seated left on low seat, holding rudder on ground in right hand and cornucopiae in left.

24.95 gr
35 mm
6h

 

I really like this one @Okidoki

 

@Okidoki if you ever get tired of this one, I want it. Never seen that type, and it was love at first sight.

 

I love the dirt on it. Don't ever clean it!