Would also like a Hadrian denarius representing Hispania (or any other ancient coin representing the region), since my family line ultimately traces back to Spain (Hispania).
Valiant, here is one in my collection showing Hispania kneeling before the emperor and holding his hand .
And two more Hadrians. I guess you can tell he is one of my favorite emperors (I even named one of my sons after him!) The sestertius /RIC 567b) is nice, and I believe it shows little actual wear.However, it does puzzle me a bit due to texture and color of the patina. It is not corroded or porous, but does not have a smooth surface. Maybe someone can comment on that? The denarius is one of my favorite Hadrians - It shows Germania on the reverse with the typical german shield.
Hi VK, Not in its best of shape, but I do have a "Hispania" sestertius here Hadrian, Sestertius HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P , laureate and draped bust right RESTITVTORI HISPANIAE, Hadrian raising kneeling figure of Hipania 24.3 gr RCV # 3633, scarce PM me if you get tempted....I might be tempted to parting with it Q
Got another Hadrian, also from Egypt. This one commemorates his visit to Alexandria in 130 AD. His beloved companion, Antinous, drowned in the Nile on this trip. While I wish the obverse was in better condition, I'm pretty happy with the reverse. Alexandria, in elephant skin head dress, kissing Hadrian's hand. EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian, 117-138 AD Æ Drachm, 35 mm, 24.8 gm Regnal year 15 (130/1 AD) Obv: AVT KAI TPAI ADPIA CEB; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Rev: Hadrian standing left, togate, holding sceptre, greeted by Alexandria, clad in elephant's skin headdress, chiton, and peplos, holding two grain ears in her left hand, and kissing Hadrian's extended right hand; L-IE (date) below. Ref: Emmett 964(15) I'd love to acquire an Antinous drachm, medallion, or tessera. Any type of issue, really.
Very nice Drachm, TIF. You really get the sense the figure is kissing Hadrian's hand, rather than just holding it.
at first glance i thought that would be about 18 mm or so...but it's HUGE and heavy. bet it feels great in hand. great coin.
Hadrian (AD 117-138) Hadrian, Sestertius, IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, with drapery on left shoulder, rev PONT MAX TR POT COS II S C, LIBERALITAS AVG (in exergue), Hadrian seated left on platform on which an attendant hands largess to a citizen, Liberalitas stands behind, holding tessera.
Wow => that's a fantastic new drachm, TIF (amazingly cool coin!!) ... yup, I'm totally jealous of that big monster!! Oh sorry => and that's an incredibly awesome Sestertius, Eduard!! (gorgeous!!)
Thanks, Steve, for the compliments. I like coins which (besides their historical content and/or appealing portrait) also actually show 'something going on' on the reverse. Buildings, ships, the odd emperor on horse spearing an enemy, and so on. My collection reflects this by now I think.
Is it just me, or is there a fake coin in this thread?? I have my doubts about one coin, but i'm a bit worried I may upset the owner.......ummmm Whizbang.....are the books non fiction?
Ok, I've just read the post containing the coin again and now I think its fair for me to comment..... The 'sestertius' posted by Eduard is a fake....thats my honest opinion. I have seen a few of these. eduard, sorry if its genuine, but ....... It doesnt look it.
YOC => do you have a known fake that you can compare Eduard's coin against? NOTE => if you have proof, then telling another collector that his coin is a fake is a good thing (perhaps he can get his money back, etc)
It would be appropriate when declaring a coin to be fake to point out what characteristic or which type of fake is being suspected. For example the coin might be claimed to be a cast of a genuine coin in which case the style would be right but there might be detail softness, bubbles or edge seam issues. It might also be suspected as being a struck fake from modern dies in which case you might point out problems with signs of the coin being pressed. Either of these two could be supported by pointing out published examples of fakes from the same mother. Finally, the claim might be based on the surfaces looking tooled or repatinated which could be done on a genuine but lower grade original or a copy made from one of the first two methods that had been doctored to conceal its problems. It is really a lot like yelling 'fire' in a theater to just say 'looks fake' without a little supporting information. Which category do you see here?
I have seen several like this, slightly rough surface, patina just wrong alongside several Nerva fakes at London coin fair a few years back. They were on display as fakes. I do not know the process used to make these, pressing or casting? The lettering seems to run into the roughness at 3 oclock and in my opinion the lettering looks too thin and wavy, such as the X on PONT MAX. The portrait is not that 'Hadrian' like either. For a green patina this even you would expect a 'glossiness' to the coin and ........ I wish I could phrase it better...it just screams of being a fake. I know I need to be more specific, but I see tiny things which add up and if offered this coin for £10 i wouldnt buy it.....and I'll buy just about anything, thats what my gut tells me. Eduard himself has obviously spotted something just isnt right, he cannot put his finger on it specifically, but he sort of has.....rough surface and patina all wrong. Now heres the confession part..... I got caught out on a similar coin 2 years ago..........not a Hadrian, but I'll get pics and shame myself by showing you all so you can call me an idiot..