Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3056 3 Aug 2017
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Ancients
Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (20mm, 7.11 gm, 7h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, AD 119-122. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, viewed from front, cloak on far shoulder / P M T-R P COS III, Minerva standing left, facing olive tree and grasping branch with her right hand, holding scepter in her left, rabbit at her feet to left. RIC 70c. BMCRE 117. Cohen 1068. Calicó 1307 (S3).
This scarce and rather puzzling reverse composition depicts Minerva reaching into an olive tree, by which a rabbit seems to be feeding. Hadrian, on the obverse, is armored for war, as is Minerva; however the olive tree suggests peace, and Minerva seems to be preparing to pluck a branch from it. Harold Mattingly, in RIC II, suggests this "beautiful aureus" depicts Minerva in her "peace-giving aspect" and signifies the end of the Trajanic wars in the east and the restoration of the Pax Romana. Though only listed as "Common" by RIC and "Scarcity 3" by Calicó, the type appears to be much rarer than that, as only two other aurei with this reverse have been offered at auction in more than a decade.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 4000-5000 USD
Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (20mm, 7.11 gm, 7h). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, AD 119-122. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, viewed from front, cloak on far shoulder / P M T-R P COS III, Minerva standing left, facing olive tree and grasping branch with her right hand, holding scepter in her left, rabbit at her feet to left. RIC 70c. BMCRE 117. Cohen 1068. Calicó 1307 (S3).
This scarce and rather puzzling reverse composition depicts Minerva reaching into an olive tree, by which a rabbit seems to be feeding. Hadrian, on the obverse, is armored for war, as is Minerva; however the olive tree suggests peace, and Minerva seems to be preparing to pluck a branch from it. Harold Mattingly, in RIC II, suggests this "beautiful aureus" depicts Minerva in her "peace-giving aspect" and signifies the end of the Trajanic wars in the east and the restoration of the Pax Romana. Though only listed as "Common" by RIC and "Scarcity 3" by Calicó, the type appears to be much rarer than that, as only two other aurei with this reverse have been offered at auction in more than a decade.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 4000-5000 USD