Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, circa AD 136. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, draped bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory standing left, holding palm in left hand and eagle, which bears wreath in beak, in outstretched hand right. RIC II.3 2234 var.; BMCRE 768 var.; Strack 278 var.; Calicó 1397 var.; Biaggi 665 var. (all variations of bust type); CNG 100, lot 1868. 7.36g, 19mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine. An apparently unpublished variant of scarce type.
Acquired from Cayón Numismática.
This reverse type most likely makes reference to Hadrian's victory over Simon Bar Kochba in Judaea during the last Romano-Jewish war. Strack (pp. 132–9) and Mattingly (BMCRE p. cxlvi), both attribute the Victory reverses on the late aurei of Hadrian to the Roman victory in the Bar Kochba War in Judaea (AD 132-135). This large-scale rebellion lasted from AD 132-136, and succeeded in establishing an independent state of Israel over parts of Judaea for over two years. Jewish gains were short-lived however, as Hadrian drafted in six full legions with auxiliaries and vexillations from up to six further legions, which finally crushed the revolt. According to Cassius Dio, 580,000 Jews were killed during the rebellion, 50 fortified towns and 985 villages were razed to the ground, and many more Jews sold into slavery. Roman military casualties were significant; Cassius Dio claimed that "many Romans, moreover, perished in this war". Therefore, Hadrian, in writing to the Senate, did not employ the opening phrase commonly affected by the emperors: "If you and your children are in health, it is well; I and the army are in health." Legio XXII Deiotariana was disbanded after severe losses, and Legio IX Hispana was possibly also disbanded as a result of the war, according to recent scholarship.
Near Extremely Fine. An apparently unpublished variant of scarce type.
Acquired from Cayón Numismática.
This reverse type most likely makes reference to Hadrian's victory over Simon Bar Kochba in Judaea during the last Romano-Jewish war. Strack (pp. 132–9) and Mattingly (BMCRE p. cxlvi), both attribute the Victory reverses on the late aurei of Hadrian to the Roman victory in the Bar Kochba War in Judaea (AD 132-135). This large-scale rebellion lasted from AD 132-136, and succeeded in establishing an independent state of Israel over parts of Judaea for over two years. Jewish gains were short-lived however, as Hadrian drafted in six full legions with auxiliaries and vexillations from up to six further legions, which finally crushed the revolt. According to Cassius Dio, 580,000 Jews were killed during the rebellion, 50 fortified towns and 985 villages were razed to the ground, and many more Jews sold into slavery. Roman military casualties were significant; Cassius Dio claimed that "many Romans, moreover, perished in this war". Therefore, Hadrian, in writing to the Senate, did not employ the opening phrase commonly affected by the emperors: "If you and your children are in health, it is well; I and the army are in health." Legio XXII Deiotariana was disbanded after severe losses, and Legio IX Hispana was possibly also disbanded as a result of the war, according to recent scholarship.