Oh... wait a minute. I only acquired three coins in 2018, not 10. Sorry about that misleading title. My quest for Hadrian travel series coins continued and brought my current total to five coins. Herewith the top three: #3: A good coin with all features well-delineated and the usual high quality portrait of Hadrian. HADRIAN 117 - 138 A.D. AV Aureus (7.14 g.) Rome ca. 134 - 138 A.D. RIC 33 var. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Nilus reclining l., holding cornucopiae and reed, leaning on rock; behind, hippopotamus among reeds and below, crocodile l. #2: Hadrian returning HADRIAN 117 - 138 A.D. AE Sestertius (23.62 g.) Rome ca. 132 - 134 A.D. RIC 706 HADRIANVS - AVGVSTVS Laureate and cuirassed bust r., with drape on on l. shoulder. Rev. FELICITATI / AVG / S - C Galley moving l. with sail steers and and six rowers; standard and vexillum at stern. Below, COS III P P #1: My second Africa aureus, this one with a scorpion HADRIAN 117 - 138 A.D. AV Aureus (7.20 g.) Rome ca. 134 - 138 A.D. RIC II 374 HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P Bare-headed bust l. Rev. Africa, draped, wearing elephant-skin headdress, recl. L., holding cornucopiae and scorpion in r. hand.
amazing coins- Africa holding the horn of plenty and the scorpion, wonder what the message is there? Beware colonialists?
All three are fantastic coins. I'll take one of each! More than likely the cost of one of these would blow my entire yearly coin budget, and I would have to sit on the corner with a tin cup and pencils. Truly beautiful examples @IdesOfMarch01
Watching a discriminating collector’s choices is fun and you never disappoint! They are all spectacular but the Nilus is my favorite for the artistry of its reverse scene.
Three coins that are a dream for any ancient coin collection! The portrait of Hadrian in Africa Aureus is one of the best that I ever saw. The reverse depicting Nilus allegory on the other aureus is a masterpiece.
Ow, ow. My jaw hurts from where it hit the floor. I'd trade all my Top Ten from this year (and perhaps the two previous years) for ONE of your Top Three.
You know you've been overexposed to commercial Christmas kitsch when you look at that hippo's head with the reeds behind it, and all you can think of is this:
That scorpion is a wonderful variety but your Nilus is my favorite of the three. Sure, it could be a bit higher grade, but the style and art are just phenomenal. Congratulations on adding some great pieces!
I can't choose between the Nilus and Africa. They're both incredibly artistic and beautiful. I count five rowers and one hortator.
Uh, no, this is an error that I acknowledged previously but forgot to correct in my records. Thanks everyone for all the kind compliments!
I would be hard pressed choosing one Who needs adding ten coins when they have three like that ? I could live with just one a year this nice in the next 100 years Q
