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Orbis Collectibles

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 2495

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 2495. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Hadrian. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Sabina, wearing double stephane with hair braided and piled, draped, right, with the legend SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P.

The reverse shows vesta seated left, holding palladium and sceptre, with the legend // S C (in exergue).

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
9
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Early in his political career, he married Vibia Sabina, the grandniece of the emperor Trajan. Hadrian's imperial administration focused on creating stable, defensible borders and direct intervention across the provinces, while his domestic life remained strained by an unhappy and childless marriage to Sabina.

Struck at the mint of Rome, this orichalcum sestertius formed part of the imperial brass coinage system, in which the denomination was valued at two and a half asses and was useful for commerce. The obverse depicts Sabina, bearing the title "SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P", associating the empress with Hadrian. The reverse depicts the goddess Vesta seated with a palladium and sceptre, accompanied by the letters "S C" in the exergue.

Physical characteristics

Material
Orichalcum
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Hadrian

Design

Obverse
Bust of Sabina, wearing double stephane with hair braided and piled, draped, right
Reverse
Vesta seated left, holding palladium and sceptre
Obverse legend
SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P
Reverse legend
// S C (in exergue)

Identification

Type reference
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 2495
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Orichalcum
Obverse legend to match
SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P
Reverse legend to match
// S C (in exergue)
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
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