Watch List notes:

THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Hadrian, 117-138

Aureus 134-138, AV 7.32 g. HADRIANVS – AVG COS III P P Bareheaded and draped bust r. Rev. ADVENTVS – AVGVSTI Roma standing r., holding spear and clasping hands with Hadrian standing l. C 93 var. (bare head). BMC 584 note. RIC –, cf. 227 (denarius). Strack –. Calicó –, cf. 1182 (for reverse type, not illustrated).
Of the highest rarity, possibly only the fourth specimen known of this type and the only
one in private hands (the BMC cites a specimen in Glasgow, which is mysteriously
not in the catalogue of the collection of the Hunterian). Struck on a very
broad flan and with a lovely portrait, minor marks,
otherwise about extremely fine


This beautiful aureus is related to the very important series of commemorative issues that the mint at Rome struck during the latter part of Hadrian's reign, and which fall into three classes or categories: 1) a series of coins commemorating the visit or arrival (adventus) of the emperor to each province; 2) another series which commemorates the restoration (restitutor) of the province by the emperor; and 3) an additional series which commemorates the military strength (exercitus) of province, for those provinces which had legions stationed within them. In addition to these three categories of commemorative issues that are collectively known as Hadrian's 'travel' series, there are a further two related groups of coins. The first is quite extensive and simply commemorates the various provinces, with the provinces of Egypt, Africa, Hispania and Gallia being the most common. Then there is a much smaller issue which commemorates the emperor's final return (adventus) to Rome, after his subjugation of the Jewish zealots under Simon Bar Kochba led to the pacification of the province of Judaea, of which this coin is a particularly handsome specimen. After spending more than half his reign on the road, and especially after having just inflicted such a crushing defeat on the recalcitrant Jews, Hadrian's homecoming was a momentous occasion in the capital which was warmly welcomed by the citizens. The reverse shows the city of Rome personified as the goddess Roma, helmeted and draped in military attire, holding a spear and clasping the hand of the now elderly emperor who is depicted togate and holding a roll in the guise of a citizen, standing before her. The legend which appears on the obverse of this coin was only employed ca. A.D. 134-138. As Hadrian returned to Italy during A.D. 136 and died not two years later, this coin belongs to the very last issue of coinage struck at Rome during his principate.