Hadrian Sestertius, Virtus reverse
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652 · 121 AD-123 AD · Rome
Obverse
Reverse
Münzkabinett Winterthur
Obverse
IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG
Bust of Hadrian, laureate, cuirassed, cropped of pteryges, right, viewed from front
Reverse
P M TR P COS III // VIRT AVG / S C (in field)
Virtus standing left, resting foot on helmet, holding parazonium and spear
About This Type
This RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652 is a sestertius of Hadrian (121 AD-123 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Virtus standing left, resting foot on helmet, holding parazonium and spear. Struck in orichalcum at a standard weight of 24.8g, 34mm diameter.
About the Sestertius
The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.
About the Rome Mint
The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652?
- RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652 is a Orichalcum Sestertius of Hadrian (121 AD-123 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC no. RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652.
- How do you identify RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652?
- The obverse depicts Bust of Hadrian, laureate, cuirassed, cropped of pteryges, right, viewed from front with the inscription IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG. The reverse depicts Virtus standing left, resting foot on helmet, holding parazonium and spear with the inscription P M TR P COS III // VIRT AVG / S C (in field). Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652?
- RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 652 was struck in Orichalcum, standard weight 24.8g, diameter 34mm, die axis 7 h, struck.
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