Bid SheetAuction 144 with CNG & NGSA 8 May 2024
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5 days 22 hr 31 min
Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA 8 May 2024
Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA 8 May 2024
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The Geoffrey Cope Collection of Ancient Greek and Roman Bronzes. The Roman Empire. Sabina, wife of Hadrian.
Description
Sestertius, Roma circa 136-137/8, Æ 29 mm, 26.35 g. SABINA AVGVSTA – HADRIANI AVG P P Diademed and draped bust r., hair wrapped in long plait at the back. Rev. PIET[AS] AVG / S - C Pietas standing facing, head l., resting hands on the heads of a child standing at either side of her.
Reference
C 52
BMC Hadrian 1875
RIC Hadrian 2578
Condition
In unusually fine condition for the issue. A lovely portrait of fine style and a superb enamel-like dark patina. Minor porosity and very gently smoothed on cheek, otherwise good extremely fine
Provenance
NAC sale 23, 2002, 1565
The marriage of Hadrian and Sabina appears to have been cold and confrontational, and we might surmise that their personalities were not well matched. Their marriage had greatly strengthened Hadrian's likelihood as successor to Trajan, but it did not bring him personal joy. Indeed, the Epitome de Caesaribus indicates that Sabina held such a low opinion of Hadrian that she took strict measures to avoid pregnancy by him, fearing that his children 'would harm the human race.' Hadrian was a flagrant adulterer, both with married women and young men, yet he would not tolerate such behaviour from his wife. During the emperor's visit to Britain in 121/2, when Hadrian initiated the construction of his eponymous wall, the Historia Augusta notes that he dismissed his praetorian prefect Septicius Clarus, the historian Suetonius, and numerous court officials on the grounds that they had developed relationships with Sabina that he deemed inappropriate. The nature of these relationships is not specified, and they have been given much consideration: were they of a romantic nature, or were these people merely on friendly enough terms with Sabina that they brought a degree of happiness to her life that Hadrian wished to remove? The truth likely will remain unknown. After a decidedly unpleasant marriage that approached four decades, Sabina died in 136, 137, or perhaps in 138 (as inscriptions from Africa Mactaris appear to indicate she was still alive in December of 137). Not long afterward, Hadrian died on July 10, 138. It was rumoured that Hadrian, who at the time of Sabina's demise knew that his own death was not far off, either poisoned her or forced her to commit suicide.
Description
Sestertius, Roma circa 136-137/8, Æ 29 mm, 26.35 g. SABINA AVGVSTA – HADRIANI AVG P P Diademed and draped bust r., hair wrapped in long plait at the back. Rev. PIET[AS] AVG / S - C Pietas standing facing, head l., resting hands on the heads of a child standing at either side of her.
Reference
C 52
BMC Hadrian 1875
RIC Hadrian 2578
Condition
In unusually fine condition for the issue. A lovely portrait of fine style and a superb enamel-like dark patina. Minor porosity and very gently smoothed on cheek, otherwise good extremely fine
Provenance
NAC sale 23, 2002, 1565
The marriage of Hadrian and Sabina appears to have been cold and confrontational, and we might surmise that their personalities were not well matched. Their marriage had greatly strengthened Hadrian's likelihood as successor to Trajan, but it did not bring him personal joy. Indeed, the Epitome de Caesaribus indicates that Sabina held such a low opinion of Hadrian that she took strict measures to avoid pregnancy by him, fearing that his children 'would harm the human race.' Hadrian was a flagrant adulterer, both with married women and young men, yet he would not tolerate such behaviour from his wife. During the emperor's visit to Britain in 121/2, when Hadrian initiated the construction of his eponymous wall, the Historia Augusta notes that he dismissed his praetorian prefect Septicius Clarus, the historian Suetonius, and numerous court officials on the grounds that they had developed relationships with Sabina that he deemed inappropriate. The nature of these relationships is not specified, and they have been given much consideration: were they of a romantic nature, or were these people merely on friendly enough terms with Sabina that they brought a degree of happiness to her life that Hadrian wished to remove? The truth likely will remain unknown. After a decidedly unpleasant marriage that approached four decades, Sabina died in 136, 137, or perhaps in 138 (as inscriptions from Africa Mactaris appear to indicate she was still alive in December of 137). Not long afterward, Hadrian died on July 10, 138. It was rumoured that Hadrian, who at the time of Sabina's demise knew that his own death was not far off, either poisoned her or forced her to commit suicide.