Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3041 Sess. 4 13 August 2015
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Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (21mm, 7.25 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 125-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Hadrian right / COS above she-wolf left, suckling twins Romulus and Remus, barred III in exergue. RIC 193d. BMCRE 448. Calicó 1233a. An impressive aureus, with a handsome portrait and an evocative reverse recalling the foundational myth of Rome. NGC AU★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.The refined, almost godlike obverse portrait of Hadrian, coupled with the reverse depicting Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf, are part of a mid-reign "image makeover" presenting Hadrian as founder of a new, unified Roman Empire. There is some truth behind the propaganda, for the reign of Publius Aelius Hadrianus did much to transform the Roman Empire into a true commonwealth of nations. Hadrian was born in AD 76 of Romano-Spanish stock, related through his mother to the future Emperor Trajan, who took him into his household. Hadrian seemed marked out for the succession, but he was not formally adopted until Trajan lay on his deathbed in August, AD 117. Hadrian abandoned many of Trajan's over-ambitious conquests and engaged in a policy of peace abroad and reform at home. He spent most of his 21-year reign traveling, visiting every province of the Roman Empire. His building projects were many and long-lasting, including Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain and the Pantheon in Rome. Under his patronage, Roman art and sculpture reached its creative peak. Yet all was not tranquil: a serious revolt in Judaea in AD 132 darkened Hadrian's waning years. His relations with the Senate were rocky; executions towards the end of his reign to ensure his succession arrangements meant that Hadrian died in January, AD 138 "hated by all," according to one biographer. The judgment of history has been far different, ranking him among Rome's greatest rulers.
Estimate: 14000-18000 USD
Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (21mm, 7.25 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 125-128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head of Hadrian right / COS above she-wolf left, suckling twins Romulus and Remus, barred III in exergue. RIC 193d. BMCRE 448. Calicó 1233a. An impressive aureus, with a handsome portrait and an evocative reverse recalling the foundational myth of Rome. NGC AU★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.The refined, almost godlike obverse portrait of Hadrian, coupled with the reverse depicting Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf, are part of a mid-reign "image makeover" presenting Hadrian as founder of a new, unified Roman Empire. There is some truth behind the propaganda, for the reign of Publius Aelius Hadrianus did much to transform the Roman Empire into a true commonwealth of nations. Hadrian was born in AD 76 of Romano-Spanish stock, related through his mother to the future Emperor Trajan, who took him into his household. Hadrian seemed marked out for the succession, but he was not formally adopted until Trajan lay on his deathbed in August, AD 117. Hadrian abandoned many of Trajan's over-ambitious conquests and engaged in a policy of peace abroad and reform at home. He spent most of his 21-year reign traveling, visiting every province of the Roman Empire. His building projects were many and long-lasting, including Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain and the Pantheon in Rome. Under his patronage, Roman art and sculpture reached its creative peak. Yet all was not tranquil: a serious revolt in Judaea in AD 132 darkened Hadrian's waning years. His relations with the Senate were rocky; executions towards the end of his reign to ensure his succession arrangements meant that Hadrian died in January, AD 138 "hated by all," according to one biographer. The judgment of history has been far different, ranking him among Rome's greatest rulers.
Estimate: 14000-18000 USD