Sestertius of Hadrian

The Sestertius of Hadrian is a large Roman Imperial bronze coin struck during the reign of the emperor Hadrian, AD 117-138. The example shown carries the bearded, curly-haired head of Hadrian in profile on the obverse and a standing draped figure accompanied by a Latin legend on the reverse, the two most characteristic features of the type.

The sestertius was the largest of the common Roman bronze denominations and gave engravers a broad, heavy flan on which to work. Because of their size and bold relief, sestertii of Hadrian are among the most sought-after and visually impressive coins of the Roman Empire, prized for their portraiture and for the wide range of reverse designs issued across his long reign.

Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire from AD 117 to 138, succeeding Trajan and becoming known as one of the "Five Good Emperors." His reign is remembered for consolidating rather than expanding the empire, for extensive travels through the provinces, and for building projects such as Hadrian's Wall in Britain and the rebuilt Pantheon in Rome. His coinage, produced in large quantities, reflects these themes across gold, silver, and bronze.

The sestertius was struck in bronze (an orichalcum brass alloy for much of the imperial period) and was valued at four asses, or one quarter of a silver denarius. Hadrian's bronze issues were produced mainly at the mint of Rome and circulated widely. Their reverses celebrate deities, personifications such as Roma, Pax, Fortuna, and the many provinces Hadrian visited, making the series a rich record of the emperor's ideology and itinerary.

Look for a large, thick bronze coin, typically around 30-35 mm in diameter and substantially heavier than smaller Roman bronzes. The obverse shows the head of Hadrian in profile, bearded with tightly curled hair, encircled by a Latin legend that abbreviates his name and titles (commonly beginning HADRIANVS AVG or IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS).

The reverse of the example shown depicts a standing draped figure, usually a deity or personification, with a surrounding legend and often the letters S C (for Senatus Consulto) in the field, marking the coin as a senatorial bronze issue. The surfaces are typically toned brown or green from age, and genuine coins show soft, worn high points and the characteristic bold relief of the sestertius module.

Values for a Sestertius of Hadrian vary widely with condition, the specific reverse type, portrait quality, and surface preservation. Heavily worn examples with legible portraits are among the more accessible large Roman bronzes, while coins with sharp detail, attractive patina, and desirable reverse designs command significant premiums.

Certain reverse types, especially the celebrated "province" and "travel" series, are far more valuable than common personification reverses. Because sestertii were often tooled, smoothed, or repatinated in the past, originality of surface strongly affects price. Treat any single figure as approximate: identify the exact reverse type and check recent auction results for comparable grade and eye appeal before assigning a value.