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NEWP: Military Strength in Rome's Golden Age

"Technically" this isn't quite as new as a NEWP should be, but I haven't shared it formally yet image

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Hadrian was the third of the Five Good Emperors, reigning during the peak of Roman prosperity. His ascension to the throne was met with some controversy as his predecessor Trajan had not yet chosen a successor until he was on his deathbed. Trajan’s wife Plotina sent a letter to the Senate declaring Hadrian as the new heir, and only after the appointment was confirmed did she inform the Senate that Trajan had in fact already died, leading some to believe that Plotina took it upon herself to make Hadrian emperor.

Regardless of the manner in which he came to power, Hadrian had a very successful reign. He completed several famous building projects, rebuilding the Pantheon in Rome and constructing the Vallum Aelium (Hadrian’s Wall), which marked the northern border of Roman Britain.

Hadrian was known as a military expert, but his reign saw minimal conflict. He engendered trust with his troops by spending a considerable amount of time with them, wearing military attire and dining with his soldiers. He increased the vigilance of their training and improved the strength of Rome’s forces by personally working with the legions in the field.

He accomplished this through extensive travel, visiting nearly every province of the Empire while trusted members of his staff maintained Rome in his absence. He would inspect the troops and suggest corrections, as well as allocate funds for construction projects and improved infrastructure within each of the provinces.

As his health started to decline, Hadrian selected Lucius Aelius Caesar to succeed him. However, shortly before his ascension, Aelius died suddenly from what is believed to have been a brain hemorrhage. In his stead, Hadrian appointed Antoninus Pius with the provision that he would then choose Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his successors. Pius agreed, and the Golden Age of Rome continued.

Hadrian’s portrait on coins pays homage to his love of Greek art, shown with a noble profile in an idealized and attractive style. This coin depicts Hadrian wearing a full beard, a first for a Roman emperor. Hadrian was a follower of Stoic philosophy, and he adopted the Hellenistic fashion of philosophers and intellectuals by wearing a well-kept beard. However, some conflicting accounts say it was primarily intended to hide the unsightly facial scars Hadrian received in battle.

He was consistent in his bearded depiction on coins, departing from the precedent set by the Senate that Romans had to be shown clean-shaven. Much of the Roman upper class followed his fashion and wore beards up until the Severan dynasty at the beginning of the third century AD.

Hadrian focused on securing Rome’s borders rather than expanding the Empire, but he wanted to remind the public that he was equally capable at offensive strategies. Therefore, the reverse of this aureus was chosen to show the emperor as a successful military commander, conveying his strength by depicting him with a flying cape on horseback and hurling a lance.

This coin retains an interesting attribute of the engraving process which is rarely seen. The circle surrounding the emperor on the reverse is a “guide line”, used to properly align the inscription punches. Its presence indicates a very early die state, making this one of the first coins struck with unworn dies. It is therefore fitting that it was featured as the representative example of the type in the Calico reference guide.

HADRIAN. 117-138 AD. AV Aureus (7.19 g, 6h). Struck 124-128 AD. Laureate head right, slight drapery at shoulder / Hadrian on horseback right, holding lance. RIC II 187e; UCR 350. C414. Calico 1226 (this coin) Struck on a broad flan. Lustrous and Bold EF. Ex. Aloysius Lynn Collection, Ex. Freeman & Sear MBS 7, Feb 2002, lot 470.

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Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection

Comments

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    I didn't realize he was the first to make beards fashionable

    here's mine of Hadrian introducing the Roman people to the new national pass time, baseball

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    =Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award 4/28/2014=
  • AndresAndres Posts: 977 ✭✭✭
    Great coin, Really baseball ? must be so , says SC , so it was approved by the senate.
    according to the Roman motto: Give the people of Rome bread and games .

    Although I like the Aureus of SMEagle just a wee bit more, its more a piece of art then a simple golden coin.
    collector of Greek banknotes - most beautifull world banknotes - Greek & Roman ancient coins.
  • mdwoodsmdwoods Posts: 5,526 ✭✭✭
    Hadrian was quite a guy. He put a lot of time and energy into his job. Sometimes a challenge brings out the best in people and it seems to be the case with him. I only really heard of him because of his wall before this but after reading the OP's text I went and read up further on him. Thanks again for sharing a great coin and a very stimulating post SmEagle.
    National Register Of Big Trees

    We'll use our hands and hearts and if we must we'll use our heads.
  • That is such a tremendous coin! I love the way the devices are more polished than the slightly matte flan-- the ancient version of a reverse proof.

    Between your writeups, superb photography, and the coins themselves, Saturdays on Collectors Universe are always exciting!

    Here's a fun interactive presentation I stumbled upon recently: Hadrian, the Roamin' Emperor. It's a fun way to spend a quarter hour.


  • << <i>Here's a fun interactive presentation I stumbled upon recently: Hadrian, the Roamin' Emperor. It's a fun way to spend a quarter hour. >>



    nice, several different coins are even mentioned
    =Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award 4/28/2014=
  • YorkshiremanYorkshireman Posts: 4,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    SmallEagle,
    I love that coin. I have been lucky enough to walk on Hadrian's wall on two different occasions. Once was with my father in the '70's. I took my sons there about 30 years later.
    If you are ever in Britain, I highly recommend a visit.
    Yorkshireman,Obsessed collector of round, metallic pieces of history.Hunting for Latin American colonial portraits plus cool US & British coins.
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 12,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is a magnificent aureus SmEagle.
    The relief and the detail are unlike anything I've noted on Roman gold coins.. An exquisite coin in a remarkable state of preservation.


    My one coin from the reign of Hadrian.


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  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,267 ✭✭✭
    Amazing coin, and great info!!!
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
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