Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare-headed bust right / SECVRITAS AVG, Securitas seated left on throne with cornucopiae as arms, bare to waist, leaning head on her hand. RIC 273; BMCRE 731 note; C. 1404; Calicó 1377. 6.85g, 19mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine; scuff on edge. Very Rare.
From a private British collection;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, 2 December 2017, lot 63.
An important theme throughout the reign of Hadrian, whose consolidation and fortification of Trajan's territorial gains was a main priority, Securitas nevertheless appears particularly prominently among the late issues struck c.134-138. Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC II, p. 327) suggest that the use of Securitas may refer, along with Pax, Victory and Pax-Nemesis, to the final subjection of the Jewish Bar Kochba revolt in AD 135. Certainly, from a Roman point of view the restoration of order after a four year long uprising that claimed the lives of a great many Romans would have gone a long way towards improving the perception of internal security within the empire. Indeed, the brutal suppression of the revolt, the devastation wrought on the Jewish population and the expulsion of all Jews from Jerusalem by this emperor otherwise characterised by his clemency and enlightened policies ensured that there would not be a fourth Jewish-Roman war.
The representation of Securitas on the present type is unusual. This personification is most often depicted in the form of a woman in matronly costume, with dress and draperies after the traditional aristocratic fashion. Here however Securitas is portrayed in more provocative fashion, bare to the waist with only a drapery loosely covering her legs. As she sits on her throne of cornucopiae (denoting abundance and prosperity) with her right elbow resting on the back of her chair and supporting her head, the implication of her state of undress and posture suggests that she is perfectly at ease with nothing to fear.
Near Extremely Fine; scuff on edge. Very Rare.
From a private British collection;
Ex Editions V. Gadoury, 2 December 2017, lot 63.
An important theme throughout the reign of Hadrian, whose consolidation and fortification of Trajan's territorial gains was a main priority, Securitas nevertheless appears particularly prominently among the late issues struck c.134-138. Mattingly and Sydenham (RIC II, p. 327) suggest that the use of Securitas may refer, along with Pax, Victory and Pax-Nemesis, to the final subjection of the Jewish Bar Kochba revolt in AD 135. Certainly, from a Roman point of view the restoration of order after a four year long uprising that claimed the lives of a great many Romans would have gone a long way towards improving the perception of internal security within the empire. Indeed, the brutal suppression of the revolt, the devastation wrought on the Jewish population and the expulsion of all Jews from Jerusalem by this emperor otherwise characterised by his clemency and enlightened policies ensured that there would not be a fourth Jewish-Roman war.
The representation of Securitas on the present type is unusual. This personification is most often depicted in the form of a woman in matronly costume, with dress and draperies after the traditional aristocratic fashion. Here however Securitas is portrayed in more provocative fashion, bare to the waist with only a drapery loosely covering her legs. As she sits on her throne of cornucopiae (denoting abundance and prosperity) with her right elbow resting on the back of her chair and supporting her head, the implication of her state of undress and posture suggests that she is perfectly at ease with nothing to fear.