Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3048 11 August 2016
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Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (20mm, 7.26 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 132. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bareheaded bust of Hadrian left / HISPANIA, female personification of Hispania reclining to left, holding olive branch in extended right hand, resting left elbow on rock, rabbit crouching right by her feet. RIC 305. BMCRE 844, pl. 62.11 (same dies). Calicó 1273 (same dies). Cohen 828. A magnificent aureus, struck in high relief from dies of incredible style, on a huge, nearly medallic flan. NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.Hadrian is often identified as a "Spanish" Emperor, although he was likely born in Rome. His family, the Aelii, had centuries-long roots in Roman Spain and rose to wealth and prominence there. Hadrian spent much of his youth on family estates in Baetica, but upon entering public life his Spanish origins became something of an embarrassment when his peers laughed at him for speaking with a foreign accent. Upon becoming Emperor, Hadrian seems to have never felt comfortable in Rome and spent most of his 21-year reign traveling, eventually visiting every province of the Roman Empire. He honored the unique ethnicity and cultural identify of each place he visited with a remarkable series of coins, including this spectacularly beautiful aureus celebrating his homeland of Hispania.
Estimate: 18000-24000 USD
Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (20mm, 7.26 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 132. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bareheaded bust of Hadrian left / HISPANIA, female personification of Hispania reclining to left, holding olive branch in extended right hand, resting left elbow on rock, rabbit crouching right by her feet. RIC 305. BMCRE 844, pl. 62.11 (same dies). Calicó 1273 (same dies). Cohen 828. A magnificent aureus, struck in high relief from dies of incredible style, on a huge, nearly medallic flan. NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.Hadrian is often identified as a "Spanish" Emperor, although he was likely born in Rome. His family, the Aelii, had centuries-long roots in Roman Spain and rose to wealth and prominence there. Hadrian spent much of his youth on family estates in Baetica, but upon entering public life his Spanish origins became something of an embarrassment when his peers laughed at him for speaking with a foreign accent. Upon becoming Emperor, Hadrian seems to have never felt comfortable in Rome and spent most of his 21-year reign traveling, eventually visiting every province of the Roman Empire. He honored the unique ethnicity and cultural identify of each place he visited with a remarkable series of coins, including this spectacularly beautiful aureus celebrating his homeland of Hispania.
Estimate: 18000-24000 USD