This denarius, quite dear to me and a recent purchase, depicts Germania symbolized by a female standing figure carrying the typical germanic shield and spear. It is interesting how wide the depictions on Hadrians coinage are. For example, his denarii with Hispaniae and Galliae shown as keeling figures before the emperor. I find it interesting that Germania is not shown in this kneeling pose. Probably (?) reflects the fact that the germanic tribes were still causing enough trouble north of the border to warrant a coin bearing a reminder of their presence (?), or maybe there is some other intended meaning. Of course, it was Marcus Aurelius some 50 years later who would really have his hands full trying to beat back persistent germanic incursions into the province of Germania. Hadrian. AD 117-138. AR Denarius (17mm, 2.84 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 134-138. Bare head right / Germania standing facing, head right, holding spear and shield set on ground. RIC II 302a; RSC 805. VF.
Very nice coin. I do not know but suggest it might be worth researching if the figure copies a statue known to have existed. In many cases coin types copied art that might have been known to some people. My question is how many people in that time could have looked at this figure and recognized it as Germania as opposed to a personification of another place.
Wow thats a beautiful Hadrian. Not a type you see everyday. I especially love the toning. Great addition.
Are you sure Eduard its talking about the free German people versus the German Roman provinces of upper and lower Germania? It would seem curious to me that the Romans would issue a coin type promoting the might of their enemy that was unconquered. I could be wrong, but I would suspect it was a known statue like Doug says representing Roman Germany. During the cold war the US didn't strike coins with hammer and sickles, or a statue of Stalin or Lenin, right? I agree its a very interesting coin, and I am betting a lot of interesting history is wrapped up in that coin. I love it. Chris
Nice coin. Neat piece of history. I guess one has to put the coin in the context of history. As you know, there was relative stability along the frontiers of the Roman Empire at this time. Without a conflict or war, there was no need to show a region as kneeling before the Emperor: For Hadrian, projecting an image of peace and stability was important (as well as maintaining a friendship with Antinous). Your coin is probably part of his "travel series" as he traveled around the empire, securing the borders and marking the limits of Roman expansion. guy (Images from dirtyoldcoins.com)
Thank you for your comments everybody The female figure depicted on the coin was possibly inspired by a contemporary statue said to be of Thusnelda, and now in a museum in Florence. I said possibly because nobody can be sure, but there is certainly some similarity: please see this link (sorry I was not able to find a picture I could paste) http://www.traunsteiner-tagblatt.de/includes/mehr_chiemg.php?id=812 Thusnelda was the wife of Arminius, the germanic chieftain who defeated 3 of Augustus' legions in 9 a.d. I also agree with the comment that since Hadrian's reign was one of relative peace, this coin was probably struck in a peaceful context meant to advertise the empire's ties to the provinces.
That's an interesting idea since she was later captured by the Romans. Both she and her son were later prized trophies in Germanicus' triumphant parade in Rome. This was a small consolation for the disastrous Battle of Teutoburg Forest in AD 9, which resulted in the destruction of three Roman legions and the loss of the myth of Roman invincibility. guy
