Sestertius Commemorating Hadrian’s Arrival in Gaul

449, Lot: 595. Estimate $100. Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 27.20 g, 11h). “Travel series” issue. Rome mint. Struck circa AD 134-138. Laureate and draped bust left / [ADVENT]VI AVG GALLIAE, Hadrian on left, standing right, holding volumen; Gallia on right, standing left, holding patera over altar; victim between altar and Gallia. RIC II 884 var. (bust type); Banti 29 var. (same). Brown surfaces, numerous scratches. Fine. Very rare with laureate and draped bust left.

Hadrian traveled to eighteen provinces of the Roman Empire. This coin is an example struck to commemorate his arrival in the province of Gaul.