Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Hadrian augustus, 117 – 138.
Aureus circa 136, AV 7.28 g. HADRIANVS – AVG COS III P P Bare head r. Rev. G – EN – I – O P R Genius standing l., holding cornucopiae in l. hand and sacrificing out of patera over altar. C 800. BMC 656. RIC II.3, 2207. Calicó 1269 (this reverse die).
A bold portrait of superb style struck in high relief and a lovely light
reddish tone. Extremely fine / good extremely fine
Ex Leo Hamburger October 1925, Niklovitz, 858; CNG Numismatic Review 25, 2000, 85; NAC 31, 2005, 43; NAC 64, 2012, 1174 and NAC 111, 2018, 172 sales. From the Collection of a Retired Banker.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5, Fine Style, NCG certification number 6556713-009
Hadrian was an enigmatic figure composed of equally good and bad qualities. At times he could be incredibly cruel and calculating, like when early in his reign he executed several ex-consuls for allegedly conspiring against the throne, even though upon his accession he had promised never to execute a member of the senatorial order. At other times, he showed great sophistication in his understanding of the needs of the Empire. To start, he reverted the expansionist policies of his predecessor Trajan by pulling back some of the more ambitious borders, and then better fortifying them. He also made a virtual career of traveling throughout the provinces to administer his rule first-hand, which clearly had many positive effects.
Aureus circa 136, AV 7.28 g. HADRIANVS – AVG COS III P P Bare head r. Rev. G – EN – I – O P R Genius standing l., holding cornucopiae in l. hand and sacrificing out of patera over altar. C 800. BMC 656. RIC II.3, 2207. Calicó 1269 (this reverse die).
A bold portrait of superb style struck in high relief and a lovely light
reddish tone. Extremely fine / good extremely fine
Ex Leo Hamburger October 1925, Niklovitz, 858; CNG Numismatic Review 25, 2000, 85; NAC 31, 2005, 43; NAC 64, 2012, 1174 and NAC 111, 2018, 172 sales. From the Collection of a Retired Banker.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5, Fine Style, NCG certification number 6556713-009
Hadrian was an enigmatic figure composed of equally good and bad qualities. At times he could be incredibly cruel and calculating, like when early in his reign he executed several ex-consuls for allegedly conspiring against the throne, even though upon his accession he had promised never to execute a member of the senatorial order. At other times, he showed great sophistication in his understanding of the needs of the Empire. To start, he reverted the expansionist policies of his predecessor Trajan by pulling back some of the more ambitious borders, and then better fortifying them. He also made a virtual career of traveling throughout the provinces to administer his rule first-hand, which clearly had many positive effects.