Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXIII 24-25 Mar 2022
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Hadrian AV Aureus. Rome, AD 136. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare-headed bust to right, slight drapery on far shoulder / VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing to right, head to left, holding wreath and palm branch. RIC II.3 2236 (this coin illustrated); C. 1452; BMCRE p. 335 note; Calicó 1394a (cf. 1393, same rev. die). 7.38g, 19mm, 7h.
Near Mint State. Very Rare and among the finest known examples of the type.
This coin illustrated in R.A. Abdy and P.F. Mittag, Roman Imperial Coinage II.3 (London, 2019);
Ex Bolla Collection, A. Tkalec AG - Astarte S.A., 28 February 2007, lot 36;
Reportedly privately purchased from M. Ratto in 1958.
This reverse type most likely makes reference to Hadrian's victory over Simon Bar Kochba in Judaea during the last Romano-Jewish war, known to contemporary Romans as the Expeditio Judaica (Jewish Expedition). Strack (pp. 132–9) and Mattingly (BMCRE p. cxlvi), both attribute the Victory reverses on the late aurei of Hadrian to this victory. 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 Mint State. Very Rare and among the finest known examples of the type.
This coin illustrated in R.A. Abdy and P.F. Mittag, Roman Imperial Coinage II.3 (London, 2019);
Ex Bolla Collection, A. Tkalec AG - Astarte S.A., 28 February 2007, lot 36;
Reportedly privately purchased from M. Ratto in 1958.
This reverse type most likely makes reference to Hadrian's victory over Simon Bar Kochba in Judaea during the last Romano-Jewish war, known to contemporary Romans as the Expeditio Judaica (Jewish Expedition). Strack (pp. 132–9) and Mattingly (BMCRE p. cxlvi), both attribute the Victory reverses on the late aurei of Hadrian to this victory. 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.