Hadrian Sestertius: RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 872

Monetary Context and Denominational Function

During the reign of Hadrian (117 to 138 AD), the Roman monetary system functioned as a multi-tiered bimetallic and base-metal currency structure. The sestertius served as the chief unit of account and the largest regular brass denomination in circulation. Valued at one-quarter of a silver denarius or four copper asses, the sestertius was struck in orichalcum, a golden-toned copper alloy containing zinc. This vibrant alloy distinguished it clearly from the pure copper used for the as and the semis. Sestertii provided substantial fiscal utility for mid-level market commerce, payment of civil wages, and regional commercial settlement. Because of its broad surface area, the denomination also served as an exceptional vehicle for visual messaging. By the mid-120s AD, imperial administration under Hadrian refined the stylistic and epigraphic presentation of the coinage, simplifying titular formulas to project an image of consolidated imperial authority and public prosperity.

Production Standards and Mint Operation

The sestertii catalogued under RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 872 were produced exclusively at the central imperial mint in Rome. Metal blanks were manufactured by casting molten orichalcum into individual moulds, producing thick, heavy flans that were subsequently prepared for striking. Striking was performed by hand with engraved steel or bronze dies. Hadrianic sestertii generally exhibit a weight standard centered between 25 and 28 grams, though individual surviving specimens naturally fluctuate outside this baseline due to manual alloy batch preparation, flan trimming variances, and subsequent mechanical wear. The module diameter typically ranges between 31 and 34 millimeters. Die axes at the Rome mint during this period show a strong preference for standard alignments, most commonly oriented close to twelve or six o'clock. The mint operated with high technical proficiency, producing consistent relief and carefully centered circular border dentils.

Obverse Iconography

The obverse of this type displays the right-facing head of Hadrian, rendered in the classicizing stylistic idiom that characterized his middle and later reign. Hadrian broke sharply with the clean-shaven tradition of his imperial predecessors by adopting a full, neatly trimmed beard, reflecting his personal affinity for Greek philosophical and intellectual ideals. Engravers at the Rome mint captured this characteristic feature with detailed hair curls, a prominent brow, and naturalistic facial modeling. The portrait appears either bare-headed or laureate, depending on specific die cutting within the broader family. The head is surrounded by the concise inscription HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, without extensive family lineage or administrative titles. This simplified titular style was introduced around 124 to 125 AD, creating an uncluttered field that emphasizes the dignified likeness of the emperor.

Reverse Iconography and Design Elements

The reverse iconography represents Roma, the divine personification of the Roman state, seated facing left. She is seated upon military equipment, specifically a cuirass and a round or oval shield, symbolizing the martial supremacy and security achieved through Roman arms. Roma holds a statuette of Victory in her outstretched right hand and cradles a full cornucopia in her left arm. Minor die variations occur in the rendering of the lower field: Roma's foot occasionally rests on a helmet or an additional shield resting upon the ground line. The combination of attributes conveys a balanced theological and political message. While the cuirass, shield, and Victory celebrate military dominion and peace secured by strength, the cornucopia proclaims the resulting civil fertility and economic abundance under Hadrian's stewardship.

Epigraphy and Legend Structure

The epigraphic structure of RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 872 demonstrates the intentional streamlining of Hadrian's official titulature during the 120s AD. The obverse legend reads HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, omitting the earlier references to his adoptive father Trajan (Traianus) and the long lists of imperial offices such as Pontifex Maximus and Tribunicia Potestas. The reverse carries the consular designation COS III in the upper or lateral field, indicating that the coin was struck during or after Hadrian's third consulship, which commenced in 119 AD. In the exergue beneath the ground line sits the formula S C, an abbreviation for Senatus Consulto ('by decree of the Senate'). This traditional formula preserved the constitutional fiction that base-metal coinage was authorized under senatorial auspices, contrasting with the direct imperial prerogative governing gold and silver issues.

Typology and Chronological Classification

In the original 1926 classification of Roman Imperial Coinage, Hadrian's vast sestertius series was broadly arranged by consular dates, which grouped many disparate emissions under static headings. The updated revision in RIC II, Part 3 (second edition, 2019) by Richard Abdy and Peter Pfanger synthesizes hoard evidence, stylistic development, and die link patterns to assign precise chronology. Type 872 belongs to Hadrian's second general coin phase, specifically assigned to the narrow window of 126 to 127 AD. The type directly precedes Hadrian's formal acceptance of the title Pater Patriae (P P) in 128 AD, which subsequently prompted a systematic redesign of imperial coin legends. Within Hadrian's extensive Roma series, type 872 represents an established iconographic pattern that set the standard for seated Roma representations throughout the Antonine era.

Circulation Patterns and Monetary Life

Orichalcum sestertii struck at Rome supplied not only the capital and the Italian peninsula but also the western provinces of the Roman Empire, including Gaul, Hispania, Britain, and the military zones along the Rhine and Danube rivers. In these regions, high-value base-metal pieces were critical for domestic trade, taxation, and military camp markets. Archaeological hoard data and excavation finds demonstrate that Hadrianic sestertii circulated actively for several decades, frequently remaining in local pools through the reigns of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. Over time, circulation caused progressive wear that wore down the raised relief of Hadrian's beard and the detailed drapery of Roma. Due to their high zinc content and substantial metal mass, surviving specimens often exhibit diverse green, brown, or olive patinas formed through interaction with varied soil conditions.

References

1. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume II, Part 3: From Hadrian to Antoninus Pius: Hadrian. pp. 132-136, no. 872
2. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum (BMCRE), Volume III: Nerva to Hadrian. pp. 434-440
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 872. ric.2_3(2).hdn.872
4. Untersuchungen zur romischen Reichspragung des zweiten Jahrhunderts, Teil II: Die Reichspragung zur Zeit des Hadrian. pp. 110-118