Bertolami Fine Art
Auction 8 3 February 2014
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Hadrian (117-138), Medallion, Rome, c. AD 132-134; AE (g 28,40; mm 35; h 12); HADRIANVS - AVGVSTVS, laureate and draped bust r., Rv. Emperor galloping l., spearing a big boar; in ex. COS III P P. Gnecchi III, 67; C 502; A. Magnaguti, "Hadrianus in nummis", London 1934, p. 83, n. 26.
Very rare, green patina, fine portrait: good very fine.
One of the Emperor's favorite activities was the wild boar hunting (Dio, X, 3), the scene is reproduced in a roundel relief of the age of Hadrian currently stuck in the Arch of Constantine in Rome. From this Hadrianic relief, such scenes will become more frequent in the artistic Roman repertoire (sarcophagi, mosaics and paintings), not as a representation of the "pleasures" of the Emperor but, according to the tradition of Hellenistic rulers, connected to the virtus of the Prince understood as noble affirmation of value.
Very rare, green patina, fine portrait: good very fine.
One of the Emperor's favorite activities was the wild boar hunting (Dio, X, 3), the scene is reproduced in a roundel relief of the age of Hadrian currently stuck in the Arch of Constantine in Rome. From this Hadrianic relief, such scenes will become more frequent in the artistic Roman repertoire (sarcophagi, mosaics and paintings), not as a representation of the "pleasures" of the Emperor but, according to the tradition of Hellenistic rulers, connected to the virtus of the Prince understood as noble affirmation of value.