archaicwonder:Near Mint State Ancient Gold Coin Modeled After a Now Lost Statue of Hadrian on Horseb
archaicwonder:Near Mint State Ancient Gold Coin Modeled After a Now Lost Statue of Hadrian on HorsebackThis is a gold aureus minted in Rome circa 125-128 AD. Obverse: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head of emperor right. Reverse: Hadrian on horseback right, raising right hand; COS III across field. Near Mint State. Well struck from dies of very fine style, perfectly centered and displaying brilliant luster. Certainly among the finest surviving aurei of Hadrian. This sold at auction recently for 64,910 USD.This very attractive equestrian aureus was struck to mark the triumphant return to Rome of the emperor, and shows him riding into the city accepting the honors and praise of the people. Mattingly and Sydenham argue that during his four year absence from Rome there had been little change in the coinage, no development of style, and the mint had been virtually inactive. However, upon his return there was a great new output of coinage, of which this is a stunning example. Keep reading -- source link
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