Hadrian, Bronze Sestertius, 130-8 AD, Rome

Hadrian (117-138 AD), bronze Sestertius, Rome 130-138 AD, HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, laureate and draped bust right, rev. PAX AVG, Pax standing facing, head left, branch downward in right hand, cornucopia in left, 22.47g, 6h (RIC 2166). Bold portrait, good very fine/very fine.

This bronze sestertius was struck in Rome during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, who ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138 AD. Hadrian is particularly remembered for consolidating the empire's frontiers, travelling extensively throughout its provinces and promoting architecture and cultural development. His reign marked a period of relative stability, although maintaining the empire's vast territories remained a central concern.

The obverse depicts Hadrian with a laureate and draped bust facing right. The laurel wreath was a traditional symbol of victory and imperial authority, while the portrait reflects the importance of the emperor's image in communicating power and legitimacy throughout the empire.

The reverse features Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, standing facing forward with her head turned to the left. She holds a downward-pointing branch in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left. The branch symbolises peace, while the cornucopia represents abundance and prosperity. Together, these images express the Roman ideal of Pax Romana, the peace and stability that supported economic growth and imperial prosperity. As a substantial bronze denomination, the sestertius was widely used in everyday transactions.