Description
Caesar Traianus Hadrianus, Roman Emperor of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty 117-138 AD, Silver Denarius (3.26g, 18mm), Rome mint 134-138 AD. Obverse: Laureate head of Hadrian facing to the right, legend surrounds, “HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP”. Reverse: Tellus Mater stands facing to the left, draped and resting rake in left arm and resting right hand on plough, legend surrounds, “TELLVS STABIL”. RIC-276; RSC-1427. Lightly toned and sharply struck, a bold portrait and all devices on flan – a very noteworthy denarius which features Tellus Mater, the primordial ‘Mother Earth’ deity and the Roman counterpart of Gaia, details near Extremely Fine, reverse good Very Fine, and less often seen.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Hadriānus Augustus, cōnsulāritās tertium, Pater Patriae”, with an English translation of “Hadrianus Augustus, honoured with the office of Consul for his third term, Father of the Nation”. The Reverse Latin legend reads “tellūs stabilis”, with an English meaning of “The Earth that stands steadfast/firm”.