Bronze Sestertius

This bronze sestertius (07GH258), issued by the emperor Hadrian, was minted in Rome between 125 and 128 CE. This period marks the short period in which he returned to the capital, after travelling through Western Europe, across the Mediterranean and through the Black Sea between 121 and 125 CE.

The obverse of the coin depicts a laureate bust of Hadrian with drapery on his left shoulder. The inscription reads HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS. The reverse depicts Neptune standing with his left foot on a prow and cloak over his thigh, holding an acrostolium in his left hand and a trident in his right. The inscription reads NEP. RED. (Neptunus Redux) and S.C. (Senatus Consulto), with a possible faded inscription along the top of the coin reading COS. III (Consul Tertium), marking the emperor’s third consulship earlier in 119 CE. This legend is attested by comparanda.

Hadrian, who was emperor from 117-138, rarely stayed in Rome itself, making an effort to travel to the provinces and consolidate the expansions made by his predecessor, Trajan. Hadrian employed a method unique to his predecessors, in which he preferred to oversee the development of the provinces personally. This included development of infrastructure, military, and public buildings, as well as the establishment of natural borders for the Empire. This sestertius praises Hadrian’s safe return to Rome through its depiction of Neptune, Roman god of the sea. It also reflects Rome’s exertion of naval power over the Mediterranean, as the control of Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) was an important aspect of the Empire, facilitating long-distance trade and transport.