Hadrian As RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 673

Monetary Context and Denominational System

Under the Principate, the monetary system reformed by Augustus and refined by the Flavians and Antonines operated on a trimetallic structure where base-metal issues performed the primary workload of day-to-day retail trade. The copper as represented one-fourth of a brass sestertius, one-half of a dupondius, and one-sixteenth of a silver denarius. While imperial aurei and denarii facilitated large-scale commercial transfers, tax receipts, military payrolls, and official state expenditures, the as served as the essential currency for municipal markets, artisan wages, and everyday commodities across the western provinces and the Italian peninsula. By the reign of Hadrian, the as maintained its traditional role despite subtle inflationary adjustments and gradual weight variations experienced over preceding decades. Struck in red copper or related bronze copper-alloys rather than the yellow orichalcum reserved for dupondii and sestertii, the as was instantly distinguishable to Roman consumers by its smaller module, distinct metal coloration, and specific imperial iconography. In the early 120s AD, production of middle bronze denominations remained intensive at Rome, ensuring an adequate liquidity supply to support urban commerce in Rome and the Italian heartland alongside broad distribution to provincial military stations.

Production, Minting, and Fabric

The manufacture of this issue occurred exclusively at the central imperial mint in Rome, which possessed the vast infrastructure and skilled personnel required to supply bronze token coinage across Italy and selected western provinces. Flans were prepared by casting molten copper alloy into circular molds or cutting sections from cast metal strips, followed by thorough hammering and annealing to prepare the metal blanks for striking. Die-engravers in the urban officinae executed obverse portraits and reverse allegorical figures into hardened iron or bronze dies with remarkable consistency. Struck between heavy handheld dies, each specimen exhibited slight irregularities in flan centering, edge cracking, and thickness common to ancient manual minting. Typical specimens of the Hadrianic as of this period weigh between 9.5 and 12.0 grams, with a mean resting close to 10.5 grams, and display diameters ranging from 25 to 28 millimeters. The alloy employed for the as was predominantly unalloyed copper or low-lead bronze, which distinguished it metallurgically from the zinc-rich orichalcum dupondius. The presence of the senatorial sanction S C reflects the traditional division of production oversight, even though imperial authorities held ultimate administrative jurisdiction over fiscal operations and mint logistics.

Obverse Portrait and Epigraphy

The obverse of RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 673 depicts Hadrian facing right, wearing a laurel wreath secured with ties at the nape of the neck. The portraiture belongs to the mature classicizing style characteristic of Hadrian's third consulship, which abandoned the heavier, squarer Trajanic modeling in favor of refined, Hellenizing features and the emperor's iconic full beard. The bust truncation presents a bare chest, with traces of drapery visible on the far left shoulder, a subtle stylistic variation meticulously catalogued in the second edition of the Roman Imperial Coinage. The continuous peripheral legend reads IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, encircling the bust clockwise from the lower left. This formulation emphasizes Hadrian's adoption by Trajan through the incorporation of Traianus into his imperial nomenclature, while confirming his supreme military and constitutional prerogatives through the titles Imperator and Augustus. Engravers at the Rome mint captured Hadrian's likeness with crisp detailing in the hair and beard, creating an authoritative and recognizable numismatic image that circulated throughout the imperial frontiers.

Reverse Iconography and Symbolism

The reverse composition features Pax, the personification of peace, standing turned toward the left in a stately, draped stance. In her right hand she holds an extended olive branch, the universal classical emblem of peaceful reconciliation, while her left arm cradles a full cornucopia, symbolizing the material wealth, fertility, and divine abundance brought about by stable governance. The legend P M TR P COS III borders the upper field, continuing Hadrian's imperial titles. Across the lower field, flanking the lower body of Pax, appear the letters S C (Senatus Consulto), formally acknowledging that the coin was produced by decree of the Roman Senate. This iconography held acute political significance during the early 120s AD. Following Trajan's expansive and costly military campaigns in Dacia and Parthia, Hadrian adopted a deliberate policy of strategic retrenchment and imperial consolidation. The depiction of Pax emphasized that peace was not merely an absence of war, but a prosperous foundation providing security, agricultural wealth, and civic flourishing to Roman citizens across every province.

Inscriptions and Epigraphic Analysis

The epigraphic program of this type is divided cleanly between administrative lineage on the obverse and magistral offices on the reverse. The obverse legend IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG abbreviates Imperator Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus. Notably, this formula retains Trajan's name, an epigraphic practice that was gradually phased out on later middle-bronze issues in favor of the more concise HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS style introduced later in his reign. On the reverse, the legend P M TR P COS III expands to Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul Tertium. The title Pontifex Maximus established the emperor as the supreme religious leader of the state, while Tribunicia Potestate affirmed his sacrosanct role as protector of the plebeians and head of civil government. The designation COS III marks Hadrian's third consulship, which began on January 1, AD 119; because Hadrian never assumed a fourth consulship, this iteration remained static on his coins until his death in AD 138. The field letters S and C represent Senatus Consulto, the longstanding formula stamped upon Roman imperial aes coinage since the Augustan monetary organization.

Typology, Dating, and Variations

In the landmark 2019 revision of Roman Imperial Coinage Volume II, Part 3, Richard Abdy and Peter F. Mittag reordered Hadrian's extensive bronze series based on meticulous die studies, titulature transitions, and bust types. Type 673 is assigned firmly to the chronological window of AD 121 to 123. It forms part of the large Group 2 issues struck during Hadrian's third consulship before his formal adoption of the title Pater Patriae in AD 128 and prior to the adoption of simplified obverse legends. It is distinguished from closely related asses, such as RIC II (1926) 601 or neighboring second-edition entries, by the precise combination of the obverse legend, the bare-chested bust with subtle far-shoulder drapery, and the standing Pax reverse holding a branch and cornucopia. In contrast, contemporaneous asses may depict Pax setting fire to captured weapons, holding a sceptre, or seated, or may employ draped, cuirassed, or bare-headed portrait styles. Because the consulship date remained unchanged after AD 119, the finer dating to AD 121-123 depends upon stylistic portrait groupings, hoard synchronisms, and the progressive development of Hadrian's Rome mint officinae.

Circulation, Archaeological Context, and Survival

As the core fractional denomination of the imperial monetary system, copper asses struck under Hadrian experienced vigorous, prolonged circulation throughout the western empire. Archaeological excavation data from urban centers in Roman Italy, Gallia, Hispania, and the military forts along the Rhine and Danube limes frequently yield worn specimens of Hadrianic asses. Because copper and bronze coins possessed high intrinsic utility for day-to-day shopping, food purchases, and civic tolls, they circulated for decades, often continuing in commercial exchange well into the Severan era until reduced weights and debased antoniniani superseded earlier bronze denominations. Hoards containing bronze coins from this period typically consist of mixed sestertii and dupondii, whereas asses are more commonly recovered in single-find losses, temple votive deposits, and civilian settlement layers. Today, RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 673 survives in significant numbers in public and private cabinets, though well-preserved examples retaining full surface detail, intact patinas, and clear bust drapery traces remain prized witnesses to Hadrianic mint administration.

References

1. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume II, Part 3: From Hadrian to Antoninus Pius (AD 117-138) - Hadrian. p. 104, no. 673
2. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum (BMCRE), Volume III: Nerva to Hadrian. pp. 412-415
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 673. ric.2_3(2).hdn.673
4. Untersuchungen zur romischen Reichspragung des zweiten Jahrhunderts, Teil II: Die Reichspragung zur Zeit des Hadrian. pp. 112-118