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Orbis Collectibles

RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 927

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 927. Denomination: Aureus. Authority: Hadrian. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right, viewed from rear or side, with the legend HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P.

The reverse shows hadrian standing right, raising right hand and holding spear, with the legend COS III.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
6
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

Born Publius Aelius Hadrianus, he succeeded his second cousin once removed, the emperor Trajan. During his reign, he abandoned Trajan's expansionist policies in favour of establishing stable, defensible borders, and carried out extensive building projects while travelling across almost every province of the empire.

Produced at the mint of Rome, this gold aureus formed part of the standardized gold coinage of the Roman Empire, where the aureus served as the primary gold denomination from the 1st century BC until the early 4th century AD. The obverse bears the imperial titles "HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P", while the reverse records his third consulship with the inscription "COS III" alongside a depiction of Hadrian holding a spear and raising his right hand.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Denomination
Aureus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Hadrian

Design

Obverse
Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right, viewed from rear or side
Reverse
Hadrian standing right, raising right hand and holding spear
Obverse legend
HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P
Reverse legend
COS III

Identification

Type reference
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 927
Denomination and metal
Aureus, Gold
Obverse legend to match
HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P
Reverse legend to match
COS III
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

Varieties

  • RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 928

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

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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