Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 26.23 g, 6h). Rome mint. Group 1b, AD 119-circa mid 120.

Electronic Auction 460
Lot: 528. Estimated: $ 750

The Summer Haven Collection of Sestertii, Bronze

Sold For $ 800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Hadrian. AD 117-138. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 26.23 g, 6h). Rome mint. Group 1b, AD 119-circa mid 120. Laureate “heroic” bust right, chest bare, slight drapery / PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, S C across field, Hadrian standing left, holding volumen and raising hand to receive scepter from eagle to left. RIC II.3 260; RIC II 589b; Banti 617 var. (break in reverse legend). Attractive green surfaces, a few minor cleaning marks and shallow scratch in field on reverse. Good VF. Struck on a broad flan, with an excellent portrait of early style.

From the Summer Haven Collection. Ex A. Lynn Collection (Manhattan Sale I, 5 January 2010), lot 275; Classical Numismatic Group 49 (7 March 1999), lot 1587.

The symbolism of the reverse image states unequivocally that Hadrian has received his imperial power directly from Jupiter himself, a forerunner to the concept of “the divine right of kings.”

Closing Date and Time: 29 January 2020 at 12:55:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.