Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 1454. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

HADRIAN. 117-138 AD. Æ Sestertius (27.97 gm). Struck 117 AD. Laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / Hadrian standing right, receiving globe with both hands from Trajan standing left. RIC II 534b; BMCRE 1101 note; Cohen 523 var. (laureate, draped, and cuirassed). Good VF, red and green patina, minor smoothing in fields. Rare. ($1000)

From the Michael Weller Collection. Ex Spink New York (10-11 December 2001), lot 433.

Hadrian's assumption of the throne upon Trajan's death was not without controversy. Many believed he was not adopted by Trajan, nor named heir before the latter's death. As a result, the first issues of Hadrian contain a variety of types dedicated to espousing his legitimacy, as on the present specimen.