Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Hadrian augustus, 117 – 138.
Aureus 117, AV 7.32 g. IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO OPT AVG G D PART Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. DIVO TRAIANO – PATRI AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan r. C 2. BMC 44. RIC II.3, 28. Calicó 1412 (these dies).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among the finest specimens
known. Two magnificent portraits of fine style perfectly struck and centred in high
relief and with a delightful reddish tone. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex NAC sale 105, 2018, 28. Privately sold by Spink & Son in October 2006. This coin is illustrated on the back cover of David R. Sear's, Roman Coins and Their Value: Vol. II (London 2002).
This extraordinary coin fits in the controversial and fascinating theme of Hadrian's adoption by Trajan.; a deed greatly wanted and backed by Plotina and repeatedly postponed by the Emperor, who would only consent to the adoption, to the detriment of other claimants to the throne, on his deathbed. On this event two versions have come down to us: the first pretends that the decision of the adoption was ascribed to an actual conviction, albeit belated, of Trajan; the second, instead, suggests a plot, engineered by Plotina, who would have delayed the spreading of the news of her husband's death, with the intent of arranging documentary evidence substantiating Trajan's free will in adopting Hadrian. Various inferences have been made on the nature of the relationship between Hadrian and Plotina, in fact some have even conjectured that the Empress was in love with her husband's protégé, whom she assisted throughout his reign. Surely, she played an instrumental role in the unhappy marriage between Sabina, Trajan's nephew, and Hadrian.
In our opinion this issue must be considered the only one struck by Hadrian as Caesar; despite the obverse legend suggesting Trajan is still alive and hence the issuing authority, in reality we believe the coin to have been struck after the demise of the old Emperor and therefore a ruse devised by Plotina and Hadrian to prove the occurrence of the adoption of the latter by Trajan.
Graded Ch AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5 Fine style, NGC certification number 6556714-013
Aureus 117, AV 7.32 g. IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO OPT AVG G D PART Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. DIVO TRAIANO – PATRI AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan r. C 2. BMC 44. RIC II.3, 28. Calicó 1412 (these dies).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, undoubtedly among the finest specimens
known. Two magnificent portraits of fine style perfectly struck and centred in high
relief and with a delightful reddish tone. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex NAC sale 105, 2018, 28. Privately sold by Spink & Son in October 2006. This coin is illustrated on the back cover of David R. Sear's, Roman Coins and Their Value: Vol. II (London 2002).
This extraordinary coin fits in the controversial and fascinating theme of Hadrian's adoption by Trajan.; a deed greatly wanted and backed by Plotina and repeatedly postponed by the Emperor, who would only consent to the adoption, to the detriment of other claimants to the throne, on his deathbed. On this event two versions have come down to us: the first pretends that the decision of the adoption was ascribed to an actual conviction, albeit belated, of Trajan; the second, instead, suggests a plot, engineered by Plotina, who would have delayed the spreading of the news of her husband's death, with the intent of arranging documentary evidence substantiating Trajan's free will in adopting Hadrian. Various inferences have been made on the nature of the relationship between Hadrian and Plotina, in fact some have even conjectured that the Empress was in love with her husband's protégé, whom she assisted throughout his reign. Surely, she played an instrumental role in the unhappy marriage between Sabina, Trajan's nephew, and Hadrian.
In our opinion this issue must be considered the only one struck by Hadrian as Caesar; despite the obverse legend suggesting Trajan is still alive and hence the issuing authority, in reality we believe the coin to have been struck after the demise of the old Emperor and therefore a ruse devised by Plotina and Hadrian to prove the occurrence of the adoption of the latter by Trajan.
Graded Ch AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5 Fine style, NGC certification number 6556714-013