Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 23.62 g, 11h). “Travel series” issue. Rome mint. Struck circa AD 129-130. Near EF/ EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 56.
Closing Date: May 19 2026 11:00 ET

The PLZ Collection, Bronze

Estimate: $ 2 000

BID NOW

Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (35.5mm, 23.62 g, 11h). “Travel series” issue. Rome mint. Struck circa AD 129-130. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery / FELICITATI AVG above, S C across field, COS III P P in exergue, galley moving left, with sail, five rowers, and steersman. RIC II.3 1290; Strack 837η; Banti 340; BMCRE 1404-5. Dark green patina, some faint smoothing. Near EF/ EF.

From the PLZ Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 106 (Part I, 9 May 2018), lot 942.

Wherever possible, Hadrian’s journeys throughout the empire were conducted by sea, as the Roman navy’s fast galleys provided the swiftest and most comfortable means of covering long distances. This attractive sestertius, struck in AD 129 or 130, likely commemorates the wandering emperor’s “happy return” from his second official imperial tour, which covered North Africa. His stay in Rome was quite brief, as by the end of AD 130 he had embarked for Egypt, where tragedy awaited.

This is another coin type that would prove so desirable during the renaissance that it was copied by Giovanni Cavino for sale to collectors who could not obtain an acceptable “ancient” example. The example offered here is certainly in the top tier of survivors.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 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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