Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Hadrian augustus, 117 – 138.
Aureus circa 130-133, AV 7.54 g. HADRIANVS – AVGVSTVS Bare-headed and draped bust r. Rev. ADVEN – TVI AV – G ITALIAE Hadrian, togate, standing l. raising r. hand and holding roll, facing Italia holding cornucopiae and sacrificing out of patera over garlanded altar. C 42. BMC 789. RIC II.3, 1562. Calicó 1176a.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens
in private hands. A portrait of masterly style and an interesting and
fascinating reverse composition. Light reddish tone,
virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, Fine style, NCG certification number 6558859-004
Realising that the constant expansion of the imperial borders under Trajan was not sustainable, Hadrian spent most of his reign securing the extant borders, organising the provinces and centralising the imperial administration. In AD 121–122, he toured the western provinces and made provision for the defense of the Rhine frontier as well as the construction of a great wall to protect Britannia. Over the course of AD 123–125 Hadrian toured the eastern provinces, where he was concerned with the fortification of the Danube frontier and border with the Parthian empire. He also worked to unify these provinces through his promotion of their shared Greek culture. Following a brief return to Rome, Hadrian made a second tour of the Greek East in AD 128–131. Unfortunately, the end of this tour was marred by tragedy and looming war. His favorite, the Bithynian youth Antinoüs, died under mysterious circumstances as they sailed on the Nile in AD 130. In his grief, Hadrian made the dead youth a new god who was worshipped throughout the Empire. During his visit to Judaea, Hadrian conceived a plan to rebuild the ruins of Jerusalem as the Graeco-Roman city of Aelia Capitolina. This was so offensive to Jewish religious sentiment that it sparked a bloody rebellion known as the Bar Kokhba Revolt (AD 132–136) and demanded the Emperor's presence in its last years. This rare gold aureus may be considered to belong to Hadrian's famous "travel" series of coins which document the various provinces that he visited during his several tours. It was struck for distribution as largesse or as a military donative as part of the celebrations that attended Hadrian's return to Italy at the end of his travels and at the conclusion of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in AD 136. It was rare occasion considering that Hadrian had actually spent the bulk of his reign outside of Rome and outside of Italy-something no Emperor had previously done. As it turned out, this returne was extremely important to the fate of the Roman Empire. As Hadrian was childless and his health was beginning to decline, following his return to Italy he immediately set about establishing an imperial heir through adoption. His first and rather poor choice was the frivolous L. Ceionius Commodus, but his unexpected death in January AD 138, compelled Hadrian to adopt the distinguished T. Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus, the future Antoninus Pius, as his heir. At the same time, he also arranged for Antoninus to adopt Lucius Verus, the seven-year-old son of Commodus, and the 17-year-old Marcus Aurelius as a means of guaranteeing smooth successions in the future. Thus, was the Antonine dynasty of adoptive emperors founded. The arrangement ensured peaceful transitions of power almost until the end of the second century AD. The personification of Italy, who is shown sacrificing in honor of Hadrian's return on the reverse of this aureus truly did have reason to celebrate.
Aureus circa 130-133, AV 7.54 g. HADRIANVS – AVGVSTVS Bare-headed and draped bust r. Rev. ADVEN – TVI AV – G ITALIAE Hadrian, togate, standing l. raising r. hand and holding roll, facing Italia holding cornucopiae and sacrificing out of patera over garlanded altar. C 42. BMC 789. RIC II.3, 1562. Calicó 1176a.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens
in private hands. A portrait of masterly style and an interesting and
fascinating reverse composition. Light reddish tone,
virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, Fine style, NCG certification number 6558859-004
Realising that the constant expansion of the imperial borders under Trajan was not sustainable, Hadrian spent most of his reign securing the extant borders, organising the provinces and centralising the imperial administration. In AD 121–122, he toured the western provinces and made provision for the defense of the Rhine frontier as well as the construction of a great wall to protect Britannia. Over the course of AD 123–125 Hadrian toured the eastern provinces, where he was concerned with the fortification of the Danube frontier and border with the Parthian empire. He also worked to unify these provinces through his promotion of their shared Greek culture. Following a brief return to Rome, Hadrian made a second tour of the Greek East in AD 128–131. Unfortunately, the end of this tour was marred by tragedy and looming war. His favorite, the Bithynian youth Antinoüs, died under mysterious circumstances as they sailed on the Nile in AD 130. In his grief, Hadrian made the dead youth a new god who was worshipped throughout the Empire. During his visit to Judaea, Hadrian conceived a plan to rebuild the ruins of Jerusalem as the Graeco-Roman city of Aelia Capitolina. This was so offensive to Jewish religious sentiment that it sparked a bloody rebellion known as the Bar Kokhba Revolt (AD 132–136) and demanded the Emperor's presence in its last years. This rare gold aureus may be considered to belong to Hadrian's famous "travel" series of coins which document the various provinces that he visited during his several tours. It was struck for distribution as largesse or as a military donative as part of the celebrations that attended Hadrian's return to Italy at the end of his travels and at the conclusion of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in AD 136. It was rare occasion considering that Hadrian had actually spent the bulk of his reign outside of Rome and outside of Italy-something no Emperor had previously done. As it turned out, this returne was extremely important to the fate of the Roman Empire. As Hadrian was childless and his health was beginning to decline, following his return to Italy he immediately set about establishing an imperial heir through adoption. His first and rather poor choice was the frivolous L. Ceionius Commodus, but his unexpected death in January AD 138, compelled Hadrian to adopt the distinguished T. Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus, the future Antoninus Pius, as his heir. At the same time, he also arranged for Antoninus to adopt Lucius Verus, the seven-year-old son of Commodus, and the 17-year-old Marcus Aurelius as a means of guaranteeing smooth successions in the future. Thus, was the Antonine dynasty of adoptive emperors founded. The arrangement ensured peaceful transitions of power almost until the end of the second century AD. The personification of Italy, who is shown sacrificing in honor of Hadrian's return on the reverse of this aureus truly did have reason to celebrate.