Exceptional Hadrian Æ Sestertius Roman Empire 134-138 AD Bronze Novelty Strike

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Seller: coinantix ✉️ (653) 100%, Location: Varna, BG, Ships to: AU, Item: 386855497223 Exceptional Hadrian Æ Sestertius Roman Empire 134-138 AD Bronze Novelty Strike.

EXCEPTIONAL Æ SESTERTIUS MUSEUM REPRODUCTION HADRIAN ROMAN EMPIRE 134-138 A.D. BRONZE COIN PAX ON REVERSE

Exceptional Æ Roman Empire Sestertius (34.5mm, 29.10g.) Hadrian, Rome mint, struck 134-138 A.D. References: C 1016. BMC 1528. RIC 769. Numismatica Genevensis sale 5, 2008, 233. This is a completely exceptional coin. The obverse presents an extraordinary portrait of Emperor Hadrian, the work of a master die-engraver dubbed the "Alphaeus Master" by C.T. Seltman ("Greek Sculpture and Some Festival Coins," Hesperia 17, 1948, 71-85). Many Scholars believe this engraver may in fact be the great sculptor Antoninianus of Aphrodisias whose superb style epitomized the Hadrianic revival of Greek classicism, but it is only speculation.

This issue was hand-struck (hammered) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (ancient Roman province Philippopolis). It goes without saying you always get the exact item in the picture.

Among the great prizes of Roman coinage are medallic sestertii which Charles Seltman attributed to an artist he dubbed the ‘Alphaeus Master’. This engraver may have been the sculptor Antonianus of Aphrodisias, whose style epitomised the Hadrianic revival of Greek classicism, but with that speculation aside we may say he is the most celebrated die engraver of the Roman period to have been identified by his body of work. We might suspect he was a member of the inner circle of Hadrian, an emperor who was so completely infatuated with Greek art and culture that he would have made Greece his home had his obligations not interfered. He became familiar with Athens as a young man, and in 112 was elected archon of the city; as emperor he travelled to Greece in 124/5, 128 and 131, typically residing in his favourite city, Athens. This sestertius very likely was struck in 135 for Hadrian's vicennalia (20th anniversary). The selection of Pax as the reverse type may well be a reference to the emperor's hope for a speedy end to the Bar Kochba War in Judaea–a traumatic event that tarnished the last years of Hadrian's life. Toynbee describes these sestertii as 'medallic coins', for in her view they pair a regular reverse die for a sestertius with a portrait die intended to produce bronze medallions. Though it cannot be disproven that the reverse die was intended for standard coinage (after all, it does include SC in the inscription), the artistry is of such a high calibre it is hard to imagine that it was ever intended to produce regular-issue sestertii. Two bronze medallions in Gnecchi (pl. 42, nos. 3, 4) bear portraits that Toynbee rightly ascribes to the Alphaeus Master. The first is of a different die than the one used for the Pax sestertius and is paired with an anepigraphic reverse displaying the birds of the Capitoline Triad; the second appears to share the obverse die of the Pax sestertius, though in this case it is paired with an anepigraphic reverse showing a bridge with its span decorated with eight columns. Among other imperial issues produced by the Alphaeus Master we should add a bronze medallion showing on its reverse the forest-god Silvanus bringing a goat before a temple entrance (NAC 15, lot 355) and a silver medallion showing Athena and Poseidon in their competition to be the patron of Athens (NAC 18, lot 519). Other portraits of Hadrian of different composition might also be considered, as should some unusually refined reverse dies for bronze medallions (for example, Gnecchi II pl. 38, nos. 5 and 6; pl. 40, nos. 5-8; pl. 41, no. 2; and pl. 42, nos. 1 and 5).

Design:

Obverse side

Bareheaded and draped bust of Hadrian left

Legend:

HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P

  

Reverse side

Pax standing l., holding branch and cornucopiae

Legend:

PAX AVG S–C

   

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors. Exceptional Hadrian Æ Sestertius Roman Empire 134-138 AD Bronze Novelty Strike

EXCEPTIONAL Æ SESTERTIUS MUSEUM REPRODUCTION HADRIAN ROMAN EMPIRE 134-138 A.D. BRONZE COIN PAX ON REVERSE

Exceptional Æ Roman Empire Sestertius (34.5mm, 29.10g.) Hadrian, Rome mint, struck 134-138 A.D. References: C 1016. BMC 1528. RIC 769. Numismatica Genevensis sale 5, 2008, 233. This is a completely exceptional coin. The obverse presents an extraordinary portrait of Emperor Hadrian, the work of a master die-engraver dubbed the "Alphaeus Master" by C.T. Seltman ("Greek Sculpture and Some Festival Coins," Hesperia 17, 1948, 71-85). Many Scholars believe this engraver may in fact be the great sculptor Antoninianus of Aphrodisias whose superb style epitomized the Hadrianic revival of Greek classicism, but it is only speculation.

This issue was hand-struck (hammered) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (ancient Roman province Philippopolis). It goes without saying you always get the exact item in the picture.

Among the great prizes of Roman coinage are medallic sestertii which Charles Seltman attributed to an artist he dubbed the ‘Alphaeus Master’. This engraver may have been the sculptor Antonianus of Aphrodisias, whose style epitomised the Hadrianic revival of Greek classicism, but with that speculation aside we may say he is the most celebrated die engraver of the Roman period to have been identified by his body of work. We might suspect he was a member of the inner circle of Hadrian, an emperor who was so completely infatuated with Greek art and culture that he would have made Greece his home had his obligations not interfered. He became familiar with Athens as a young man, and in 112 was elected archon of the city; as emperor he travelled to Greece in 124/5, 128 and 131, typically residing in his favourite city, Athens. This sestertius very likely was struck in 135 for Hadrian's vicennalia (20th anniversary). The selection of Pax as the reverse type may well be a reference to the emperor's hope for a speedy end to the Bar Kochba War in Judaea–a traumatic event that tarnished the last years of Hadrian's life. Toynbee describes these sestertii as 'medallic coins', for in her view they pair a regular reverse die for a sestertius with a portrait die intended to produce bronze medallions. Though it cannot be disproven that the reverse die was intended for standard coinage (after all, it does include SC in the inscription), the artistry is of such a high calibre it is hard to imagine that it was ever intended to produce regular-issue sestertii. Two bronze medallions in Gnecchi (pl. 42, nos. 3, 4) bear portraits that Toynbee rightly ascribes to the Alphaeus Master. The first is of a different die than the one used for the Pax sestertius and is paired with an anepigraphic reverse displaying the birds of the Capitoline Triad; the second appears to share the obverse die of the Pax sestertius, though in this case it is paired with an anepigraphic reverse showing a bridge with its span decorated with eight columns. Among other imperial issues produced by the Alphaeus Master we should add a bronze medallion showing on its reverse the forest-god Silvanus bringing a goat before a temple entrance (NAC 15, lot 355) and a silver medallion showing Athena and Poseidon in their competition to be the patron of Athens (NAC 18, lot 519). Other portraits of Hadrian of different composition might also be considered, as should some unusually refined reverse dies for bronze medallions (for example, Gnecchi II pl. 38, nos. 5 and 6; pl. 40, nos. 5-8; pl. 41, no. 2; and pl. 42, nos. 1 and 5).

Design:

Obverse side

Bareheaded and draped bust of Hadrian left

Legend:

HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P

  

Reverse side

Pax standing l., holding branch and cornucopiae

Legend:

PAX AVG S–C

   

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Coinlandia came to existence in 2013, as a small family-operated business, with a passion for souvenirs, coins, and collectible items. What we do is both a hobby and a business. Our mission is to offer high-quality reproductions of rare and ancient pieces, so people who appreciate and collect art have the opportunity to own such quality without having to spend thousands or millions of dollars. At a symbolic price you can complement your collection with rare items from all over the world or make a unique present to someone by giving them a piece of history.

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  • Condition: PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF OUR COINS ARE HIGH-QUALITY, HAND-STRUCK (HAMMERED) REPRODUCTIONS OF ANCIENT ARTIFACTS. WE ARE CERTIFIED BY THE "REGIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, PLOVDIV (BULGARIA)" PERMITTING US TO SELL AND EXPORT THE COINS, WHICH ARE NOT A MONUMENT OF CULTURE. COINANTIX IS ADDING VALUE FOR THE COIN COLLECTOR BY OFFERING QUALITY WITH AN UNTOUCHED AUTHENTIC FEEL AT A FRACTION OF THE ACTUAL PRICE.
  • Coin Size: 34.5mm
  • Composition: Bronze
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Bulgaria
  • Date: 134-138 A.D.
  • Denomination: Sestertius
  • Era: Ancient
  • Historical Period: Roman: Imperial (27 BC-476 AD)
  • Mint: Rome
  • Provenance: Struck by a master artisan in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Ruler: Hadrian
  • Type: Bronze Roman Sestertius Hadrian, Pax
  • Use: Collectable, Decorative, Gift
  • Year: 134 AD

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