Hadrian, 117-138. Aureus (Gold, 21 mm, 6.88 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 128-129. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to right, seen from behind. Rev. COS III On the right, Hadrian, togate, standing left, extending his right hand, left hand at side; on the left, the Genius of the Senate, togate, standing right, extending his right hand and holding short scepter in his left; Roma, helmeted and in military dress, standing right behind and between them, holding vertical spear in her left hand and draws with her right the right hand of Hadrian toward that of the Genius. BMC 506. Calicó 1212 (same dies as illustration). Cohen 351. RIC II.3 934. Very rare. A splendid piece of the finest Hadrianic style and with a highly unusual reverse. Edge filing and very minor scrapes and with a thin die break on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.


This intriguing reverse type depicts the Genius of the Roman Senate and the Emperor Hadrian clasping hands in a gesture of mutual respect, overseen by the Goddess Roma. In Roman culture, every living being, as well as many inanimate objects and abstract ideas, was believed to have a divine spirit—referred to as a Genius or Juno—present within it. This image symbolizes Hadrian’s respect for the Roman Senate, without which he theoretically held no power, as well as the Senate's reciprocal respect for their emperor. The presence of Roma, or eternal Rome, conveys divine approval of this relationship.