Hadrian AR Denarius 134-138 AD - VICTORIA AVG Victory/Nemesis - RIC 282
Ancient Roman Empire – Silver Denarius of Emperor Hadrian
An attractive, authentically toned silver denarius struck at the Rome mint during the final, celebrated years of Hadrian’s reign (circa AD 134–138). This issue features a powerful, deeply struck portrait on the obverse and an interesting hybrid personification of Victory acting as Nemesis on the reverse.
Design Details
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Obverse Legend:
HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P(Hadrianus Augustus, Consul Tertium, Pater Patriae) -
Obverse Description: Crisp, laureate head of Hadrian facing right, showing excellent, sharp detail through the hair and his characteristic Greek-style beard.
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Reverse Legend:
VICTORIA AVG(Victoria Augusti) -
Reverse Description: Victory (syncretized with Nemesis) standing right, using her right hand to pluck up a fold of her neck drapery, and holding a lowered olive branch in her extended left hand.
Coin Condition & Attributes
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Weight: 2.87g
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Surfaces: Deep, rich, iridescent cabinet toning outlining the devices and text legends. Authentic light green verdigris/malachite deposits are visible on the obverse behind the neck and along sections of the periphery.
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Flan: Characterized by an irregular, characterful flan typical of late-reign strikes, including minor contemporary stress/edge splits from the hammer striking process.
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Provenance: Formerly from the collections at Locke & England.