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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,054 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
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The circumstances under which Publius Aelius Hadrianus became heir to Trajan were equivocal at best. Given that fact, and even though there was definitely a dark side to his personality, Hadrian still managed to avoid instigating the sort of bloody purge that was almost to be expected of a new emperor in the process of consolidating his personal authority. His restraint in this regard ironically didn't result in his being especially popular, however. Hadrian's legacy was primarily that of a capable administrator, who initiated a pragmatic program to discontinue his predecessor's policy of further expanding the boundries of the Roman Empire in favor of instead securing prior conquests by taking measures to make the frontiers more defensible. The notable military campaign of his reign was the pitiless suppression of an uprising in the Judean province that ended up costing as many as a half million Jews their lives.   The unadorned portrait with its resolute expression is, I think, emblematic of Hadrian's no nonsense approach to governance. I can't seem to find an RIC entry that precisely matches up with this specimen. Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
07/29/2017 3:09 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Very nice addition to your collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Nice one, LC. I like your interpretation: Quote:
The unadorned portrait with its resolute expression is, I think, emblematic of Hadrian's no nonsense approach to governance. It does seem to convey that sense, doesn't it? |
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Moderator
United States
34423 Posts |
Nice coin @LC. Is that Tyche on the rev?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4883 Posts |
Quote:
These RIC II 244's seem close Both of those appear to be the same coin as mine (and each in such superb condition that my specimen is just put to shame). I'm not sure that either identification is accurate though, for as I understand it, RIC II 244 is supposed to be a laureate bust. Interesting that these two dealers disagree on the RSC entry - one has theirs as RSC 762 (which I think more precisely should be RSC II 762) while the other says theirs corresponds with RSC II 768. They disagree on their BMCRE numbers, too, one having it as 635, while the other identifies theirs as BMCRE III 639. Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
That's a fine looking bust indeed! Since you mentioned Hadrian being picked by Trajan, here's a coin I picked up recently of the guy that Hadrian picked as his successor (maybe unequivocally but also a bit unpopular with some I think). This fellow died before he became emperor...but his kid made it!  Aelius Caesar, 136-138 AD, AE drachm O: bust r. draped, R: Homonia seated on throne l., holding patera. A cornucopia at her side. Ref. Dattari 2076 BMC 923 Alexandria 33 mm, 22.1g |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Nice coin Chris, nice to see you here.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4964 Posts |
Thanks ski! Nice to stop by for a visit!
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,054 |
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Posted 07/29/2017 3:21 pm
