Hadrian. AD 117-138. AV Aureus (18mm, 7.25 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 122-123. NGC graded AU★, 5/5, 4/5, Fine Style.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 762. Estimated: $ 20 000

Roman Imperial, Gold

Sold For $ 30 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Hadrian. AD 117-138. AV Aureus (18mm, 7.25 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 122-123. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN H ADRIANVS AVG, laureate head right / P M TR P COS III, River god (the Tiber, Tyne, Beatis or Euphrates) reclining left, cradling rudder in crook of right arm and testing left elbow on overturned urn, from which water flows. RIC II.3 590; Strack 103; Calicó 1337 (this coin illustrated); cf. BMCRE 132; Adda –; Biaggi –; Jameson –; Mazzini –. In NGC encapsulation 4938386-010, graded AU★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Fine Style. Rare.

Ex Collection of a Retired Banker (Numismatica Ars Classica 111, 24 September 2018), lot 171; Classical Numismatic Group 82 (16 September 2009), lot 1011; Numismatica Ars Classica 49 (21 October 2008), lot 210; V.J.E. Ryan Collection (Part IV, Glendining, 20 February 1951), lot 1771.

Struck in the midst of Hadrian’s first great journey after becoming emperor, the reverse of this coin clearly depicts a reclining river god of classic type. Which river is represented has been the subject of much speculation and debate. In the 1926 edition of RIC, Mattingly and Sydenham identify the river as the Tiber. Sear, in Roman Coins and Their Values Vol II (Spink, 2002), states “more recent scholarship suggests it is the Tyne (Tinea)” across northern Britannia, which Hadrian visited in AD 122, prior to initiation of the famous wall that bears his name. Richard A. Abdy, in his new edition of RIC II Vol. 3 (Spink, 2019), suggests it is the Euphrates, which Hadrian reached in AD 123 for a summit meeting with the Parthian king, although he also notes Hadrian also traveled on the river Beatis in southern Spain earlier the same year. As Hadrian is recorded to have been present at or near all three rivers during 122-123, and the Tiber is often used to represent Rome itself, it is also possible the reclining figure is left unidentified so as to represent all four.

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session Three – Lots 674-990 will be held Wednesday morning, 11 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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