Hadrian, 117-138. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 32 mm, 23.30 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 130-133. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P Laureate and draped bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind. Rev. MAVRETANIA / S•C Mauretania, in short chiton, standing right in front of horse pacing to right, holding bridle in her left hand and two javelins in her right. BMC 1762. Cohen 955. RIC 1674. Rare. Some corrosion and with light deposits, otherwise, very fine.


Mauretania, in modern-day Morocco and western Algeria, was one of the more remote possessions of the Roman empire, having been annexed only in 42 AD by Claudius, who established two provinces, Mauretania Caesariensis in the East and Mauretania Tingitana in the West. The personification found on this sestertius from Hadrian's travel series alludes to the dreaded Mauritanian and Numidian cavalry, light unarmored horsemen equipped with javelins, who first served Rome under the famous Numidian king, Massinissa, in the final stages of the 2nd Punic War (218-201 BC).