Nomos 16

Hadrian, 117-138. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 33 mm, 24.59 g, 6 h), Rome, 128. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P Laureate head of Hadrian to right. Rev. COS III / S C Genius of the Senate, togate on the left, and Hadrian, togate on the right, standing facing each other, clasping their right hands; behind them, Roma standing right, holding spear in her left hand and resting her right on the others' clasped hands. Banti 193 (this coin). BMC 1364. Cohen 352 var. (but with drapery). Hill 388. RIC 968. Very rare. Well struck, with a most interesting reverse, and an attractive patina. About extremely fine.

From the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland, acquired from Bank Leu in Zürich and from the collections of Ing. G. Mazzini d. 352, J. E. Ryan, Glendining & Co., 2 April 1952, 2491, and L. Vierordt, Schulman 5 March 1923, 1302.

The reverse of this coin is remarkably elegant – almost medallic in conception. The Romans often staged events in which the emperor was accompanied by actors dressed to personify symbolic personalities such as Annona, Liberalitas, Roma, et al. Here we see the emperor clasping the hand of the Senate in the presence of Roma, who stands behind them confirming their cooperative spirit by resting her hand on theirs.