Description
Caesar Traianus Hadrianus, Roman Emperor of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty 117-138 AD, Gold Aureus (6.64g, 19mm), Rome mint 120 AD. Obverse: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian facing to the right, legend surrounds, “IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG”. Reverse: Genius of the Roman People stands facing to the left, holding patera aloft in right hand and resting cornucopia in left arm, “GEN PR” to field, legend surrounds, “PM TR P COS III”. RIC-11.3-195; BMCRE-273. An attractive portrait of Hadrian, portraying the emperor in quite fine style; not such an abundant reverse type that features the soul of the Roman People, good Very Fine.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Imperātor Caesar Trāiānus Hadriānus Augustus”, naming the emperor’s full regnal name. The Reverse Latin legends reads “Pontifex Maximus, Tribūnīciā Potestās prīmum, cōnsulāritās tertium”, with an English translation of “Chief High Priest of the College of Pontiffs, invested with Tribunician Power for the first time, honoured with the office of Consul for his third term”, the legend continues in the field and reads “geniō populī Rōmānī”, with an English translation of “Genius of the Roman People”, naming the Genius of the Roman People that is featured on the reverse.