My collection of Hadrian coins

  • AD 117. Coins dated COS
  • AD 118. Coins dated COS ⋅ II
  • AD 119 – early 128. Coins dated COS ⋅ III without title P⋅P (Pater Patriae)
  • AD early 128 – 138. Coins dated COS ⋅ III with title P⋅P (Pater Patriae)

The adoption of Hadrian.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 5. Denarius. Struck AD 117. Adoptio.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIAN OPT AVG GER DAC, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, cuirassed, right, viewed from front
Rev: PARTHIC DIVI TRAIAN AVG F P M TR P COS P P, Trajan standing right, Hadrian standing left, both holding globe between them
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 8. Denarius. Struck AD 117. Adoptio.
Obv: IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIAN OPT AVG GER DAC, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: PARTHIC DIVI TRAIAN AVG F P M TR P COS P P // ADOPTIO (in exergue), Trajan standing right, Hadrian standing left, both clasping hands

The early policy of Hadrian AD 117.

The change of policy which Hadrian’s accession brought with it is soon reflected in the general tone of the coinage. Hadrian’s coinage during his first two years in power was characterized by a slew of imperial virtues such as Concordia (personification of harmony and agreement), Justitia (personification of justice), Pax (personification of peace), Pietas (personification of piety, dutifulness, loyalty).

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 57. Denarius. Struck AD 117. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: PARTH F DIVI NER NEP P M TR P COS // FORT RED (in exergue), Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 60. Denarius. Struck AD 117. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: PARTH F DIVI NER NEP P M TR P COS // IVSTITIA (in exergue), Justitia seated left on throne, holding patera and sceptre
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 66. Denarius. Struck AD 117. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right, viewed from front
Rev: PARTH F DIVI NER NEP P M TR P COS // PAX (in exergue), Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 67. Denarius. Struck AD 117. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANO AVG DIVI TRA, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: PARTH F DIVI NER NEP P M TR P COS // PIETAS (in field), Pietas, veiled, standing left, raising hand
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 37. Dupondius. Struck AD 117. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI TRAIAN AVG F TRAIAN HADRIAN OPT AVG GER, Bust of Hadrian, radiate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: DAC PARTHICO P M TR P COS P P // CONCORDIA (in exergue) // SC (in exergue), Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera and resting on figure of Spes; cornucopia under throne

Hadrian’s first return to Rome in July AD 118.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 159. Dupondius. Struck AD 118. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG – Bust of Hadrian, radiate head right
Rev: PONT MAX TR POT COS II // ADVENTVS AVG (in exergue) // S C (in exergue), Roma seated right on cuirass and shield, holding vertical spear and clasping hands with Hadrian, standing left, holding scroll
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 114. Denarius. Struck AD 118. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: P M TR P COS II // FORT RED (in exergue), Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopia

The early policy of Hadrian AD 118.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 117. Denarius. Struck AD 118. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: P M TR P COS II // IVSTITIA (in exergue), Justitia seated left on throne, holding patera and sceptre
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 124. Denarius. Struck AD 118. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: P M TR P COS II // PAX (in exergue), Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 161. Dupondius. Struck AD 118. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, radiate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: PONT MAX TR POT COS II // ANNONA AVG (in exergue) // S C (in field), Annona standing left, holding corn ears and cornucopia; at feet to left, modius, corn ears, and poppy; behind right, prow of ship

Early tetradrachms.

Tetradrachm of Antiochia ad Orontem, Syria. Dated consulship 2 (AD 118). Prieur 156.
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΘΕ ΤΡΑ ΠΑΡ ΥΙ ΘΕ ΝΕΡ ΥΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟC CΕΒ – Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤ Β – Eagle standing facing, head left, on leg and thigh of an animal

AD 120-121.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 450. Sestertius. Struck AD 119/20. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG P M TR P COS III, Head of Hadrian, laureate, right
Rev: RESTITVTORI ORBIS TERRARVM // S C (in exergue), Orbis, towered, kneeling right, holding globe and extending hand to Hadrian, standing left, extending hand to Orbis and holding scroll

AD 119-122.

Some of the coins minted between AD 119 and 122 contrasted with his earlier issues. They now include symbols characteristic of the Roman military and feature a variety of militaristic deities, including Minerva, Virtus, Janus, Roma, and most notably, Victory.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 320. Denarius. Struck AD 119-122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Head of Hadrian, laureate, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 541. Denarius. Struck 119-122 AD. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Head of Hadrian, laureate, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Roma seated left, on pile of arms, holding Victory and sceptre
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 385. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Head of Hadrian, laureate, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 215. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Aeternitas standing facing, head usually left, holding busts of the Sun and Moon
RIC II Hadrian 90c. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Genius standing left, holding patera and corn-ears, altar at his feet
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 223-227. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Pax standing left, holding branch in right and cornucopia in left
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 231. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, bare chest, traces of drapery on far shoulder usually visible, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Salus, seated left, holding patera over altar, snake usually coiled around altar
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 397. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Victory alighting right, holding trophy
RIC II 110. Denarius. Struck AD 119/121. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head right
Rev: Hadrian in military dress, standing left, holding rudder on globe and reversed spear
RIC II 113d. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: P M TR P COS III, Galley left with mast on left & pilot’s shelter on right
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 190. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head right, draped left shoulder
Rev: P M TR P COS III around, AET-AVG across fields, Aeternitas standing left, holding the heads of the sun and moon in her hands
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 299. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Head of Hadrian, laureate, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III FEL P R, Felicitas, draped, seated left, holding caduceus and cornucopia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 309. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
Rev: P M TR P COS III // LIBERAL AVG / III (in exergue), Hadrian seated left on platform, extending hand toward a citizen; citizen advancing right, holding out fold of toga
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 174. Denarius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
Rev: P M TR P COS DES III // SALVS AVG (in exergue), Salus, seated left, holding patera, feeding snake coiled around altar
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 207. Denarius. Struck AD 119/20. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder
Rev: P M TR P COS III FELIC-AVG, Felicitas standing left with caduceus and cornucopia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 239. Sestertius. Struck AD 119/122. Rome mint.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped on left shoulder, right
Rev: PONT MAX TR POT COS III S C SECVR AVG, Securitas, draped, seated left, holding sceptre in right hand and resting head on left hand

Travel series.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 1573. Denarius. Struck AD 130-133. Rome mint.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, head right
Rev: RESTITVTORI GALLIAE, Hadrian standing right, holding scroll and raising kneeling Gallia
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 1519. Denarius. Struck circa AD 130-133. Rome mint.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P Bare head of Hadrian to right
Rev: GERMANIA Germania standing front, head to right, holding spear in her right hand and placing her left on shield set on ground
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 1495. Denarius ( 17mm 3,31 g.) Rome, AD 130-133.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head to right
Rev: AFRICA, Africa, wearing elephant scalp, reclining left, holding scorpion and cornucopia, leaning on rocks with elbow; usually to left, basket of corn or fruits
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 1543. Denarius. Struck circa AD 130-133. Rome mint.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P Bare head of Hadrian to right
Rev: NILVS Nilus reclining right, holding reed and cornucopia; in water below, crocodile and hippo

Other denarii.

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) 2326. Denarius. Struck AD 137-138.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P., Bare head right
Rev: VOTA PVBLICA. Hadrian standing left, sacrificing with patera over tripod to left
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) 1424. Denarius. Struck AD 130.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, Head of Hadrian, laureate, right
Rev: ROMVLO CONDITORI. Romulus advancing right, holding spear and trophy

Alexandrian mint.

Egypt, Alexandria. BI Tetradrachm. Struck AD 117/18. L B = year 2 (Milne 835 – RPC III 4989)
Obv: AYT TΡAIANOC AΔΡIANOC, laureate head of Hadrian, right
Rev: Agathodaemon serpent crowned with pschent, enfolding caduceus and stalk of corn
Egypt, Alexandria. BI Tetradrachm. Struck AD 119/120. L Δ = year 4 (Milne 952 – RPC III 5184)
Obv: Laureate bust right, slight drapery; crescent before
Rev: Hadrian, holding eagle-tipped sceptre and branch, driving slow quadriga right
Egypt, Alexandria. BI Tetradrachm. Struck AD 120/1. L E = year 5 (RPC III 5258)
Obv; Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder; crescent before
Rev: Eagle standing right; L E in field

Provincial Coinage.

Syria. Antioch. Dated AD 117-138. 15 mm, 28 g. (RPC III, 3691)
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ Θ ΤΡ Π ΥΙ Θ ΝΕΡ ΥΙⲰ ΤΡ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΑϹ. laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian, right, with paludamentum.
Rev: S C; in laurel wreath; beneath: AB.
Syria, Tripolis, Phoenicia. Hadrian Æ24. Year 428 = AD 117. (RPC III 3828)
Obv: AYTOKR KAICAΡ TΡAIANOC AΔΡIANOC, laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder
Rev: HKY TΡIΠOΛEITΩN, Astarte, turreted, standing right, left foot on prow, holding long cruciform standard and raising hem of robe
Galilee, Tiberias. Hadrian Æ24. Dated year 101 = AD 118/9. (RPC III 3932)
Obv: AYT TΡA AΔΡIANΩ KAIC CEB, laureate bust right
Rev: TIBEΡ KΛAYΔ, Zeus seated left, holding sceptre, all within tetrastyle temple, date ET AP in ex.
Cappadocia, Tyana. Hadrian Æ16. Year 20 = AD 135/6. (RPC III 2957)
Obv: ΑΥTO ΚΑΙ ΤΡ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СЄBACT. Laureate head right
Rev: ΤΥΑΝΕΩΝ ΤΩ(Ν) Π(Ρ) ΤΑ(Υ) ΙΕΡ ΑϹΥ ΑΥΤ / ЄT – K to right and left of club of Herakles Club
Judaea, Gaza. Hadrian Æ17. Dated CY 194 and Epidemia 5 = AD 133/4. (RPC III 4037)
Obv: AKATP. AΔΡΙΑΝCE, Laureate, draped bust of Hadrian, right
Rev: ΓΑΖΑ EΕΠΙΔЧΡ, Heracles nude, standing front looking left; right hand resting on club, left holding lion-skin
Commagene, Samosata. Hadrian Æ21. AD 117-138. (RPC III 3419)
Obv: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΑϹΤΟϹ; laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian, right, with paludamentum
Rev: ΦΛΑ ϹΑΜΟ ΜΗΤΡΟ ΚΟΜ; wreath

Lycaonia. Iconium. Assarion (Bronze, 19 mm, 4.16 g, 6 h). (RPC III 2824).
Obv: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС ΚΑΙСΑΡ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind
Rev: ΚΛΑYΔ ЄΙΚ[Ο]ΝΙЄΩΝ Bust of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet and aegis
Ionia. Ephesus. Hadrian, with Sabina, 117-138. Assarion (Bronze, 21 mm, 4.77 g, 6 h) (RPC III 2080).
Obv: ΑΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹЄ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ ϹΑΒЄΙΝΑ Laureate head of Hadrian, on the left, facing diademed and draped bust of Sabina, on the right
Rev: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟΥ ЄΦЄCI [ΔΙΚΑ]ΙΟϹΥΝΗ Dikaiosyne standing front, head to left, holding scales in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left

Ionia. Ephesus. Bronze Æ 21 mm, 4,93 g. AD 117-138. (RPC III 2070)
Obv: ΑΥ(Τ) ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ(Ι) ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ (Ϲ)(Ε) laureate head of Hadrian, r.
Rev: ΕΦΕ/ϹΙΩΝ stag, to l.
Judaea, Caesarea Maritima, Samaria. Hadrian, Æ18. AD 117/138. (RPC III 3961)
Obv: IMP TRA HADRIANO, Laureate head right
Rev: CI F AVG CAESAR, Apollo standing left, resting left elbow on tripod, right hand extended toward upright serpent
Phoenicia, Berytus. Hadrian, Æ23. AD 128/38. (RPC III 3856)
Obv: IMP CAES TRAI HADRIANVS AVG P, laureate, draped bust right
Rev: Two military standards, each surmounted by eagle; in laurel wreath; COL BER below
Hemidrachm AR, Cappadocia. Caesarea. Dated year 5 (121/2 AD). 15 mm, 1,48 g. (RPC III, 3076)
Obv: ΑΥΤΟ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΑϹΤ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: ΕΤ Ε Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm
Didrachm AR, Cappadocia. Caesarea. Dated 117/138. 21 mm, 6,51 g. (RPC III 3104)
Obv: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΑϹΤΟ[Ϲ], laureate head right
Rev: ΥΠΑΤΟϹ Γ [Π]ΑΤΗΡ ΠΑΤΡ, Mount Argaeus surmounted by wreath
Sagalassos, Pisidia. Dated AD 117/138. 25 mm, 12.07 g. (RPC III 2793)
Obv: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ. Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian, right
Rev: ΓΑΛΑϹϹΕΩΝ. Zeus seated on throne, left, holding Nike on extended hand, resting on scepter; eagle at his feet
Lydia. Stratonicaea-Hadrianopolis. Hadrian, 117-138. Hemiassarion. Orichalcum, 16 mm, 3.40 g. (RPC III, 1776).
Obv: ΑΥΤΟ ΤΡΑΙΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟ Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right.
Rev: ΙΝΔΙ ϹΤΡ[Α] ϹΥΝΚΛΗΤΟϹ Draped bust of the Roman Senate to right.
Hadrianotherae, Mysia. Dated AD 117-138. 25mm, 10,69 g. (RPC III 1627)
Obv: AΔPIANOC AVΓOVCTOC, laureate head right
Rev: AΔPIANOΘHPITΩN, Zeus standing left, holding sceptre and patera, eagle at feet
Attaleia, Pamphylia. Dated AD 117-138. 24mm, 8,03 g. (RPC III 2679)
Obv: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ, laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian, r., with paludamentum, seen from rear
Rev: ΑΤΤΑΛΕΩΝ, temple with four columns within which statue of Athena standing facing, head l., holding Nike in her r. hand, l. resting on spear; on l., owl on altar; on r., shield
Mysia. Parium Æ16. Dated AD 117-138. 16.1 mm, 3,48 g. (RPC III, 1542)
Obv: HADRIANVS AVG P P, laureate head of Hadrian, l.
Rev: C G I H P, founder ploughing with two oxen, r.