(93) Hadrian - AV aureus, A.D. 134-138, 7.11 g. (inv. 91.163).
Obverse: Draped and bare-headed bust of Hadrian r.; HADRIANVS AVG(VSTVS)
CO(N)S(VL) III P(ATER) P(ATRIAE): Hadrianus Augustus, consul for
the third time, father of the country.
Reverse: Virtus in armor standing r., l. foot on helmet, holding spear in
r. and parazonium in l.; VIRTVTI AVG(VSTI): to the Virtus of the
Augustus.
Provenance: Coin Galleries, 1959.
Bibliography: H. Mattingly and E.A. Sydenham, The Roman Imperial Coinage
II: Vespasian to Hadrian (London 1926) 287.
Although Hadrian does not age in his portraits, this head differs from earlier
examples in its somewhat more realistic approach. This bare-headed portrait
in particular shows his characteristic hairstyle, his curly hair brushed
foreward from the back of his head.
The reverse depicts Virtus, the personification of military courage, who
is a frequent figure on Roman coins. She is female because the Latin word
is feminine. Her dress, a short tunic that bares her right breast, resembles
that of an Amazon. She is fully armed, with a helmet, spear, and parazonium
or short sword. The legend on this coin indicates that the Virtus in question
is that of the emperor himself, the Augustus. Although Hadrian was more
interested in peace than war, he was careful to emphasize his military strength
by having himself depicted in military dress and by using the standard military
types on his coins.
K.S.
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