Hadrian, 117-138. Dupondius (Orichalcum, 26 mm, 14.74 g, 6 h), Rome, circa 125-127. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS Radiate head of Hadrian to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. COS III / S C Aequitas seated left, holding scales in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. BMC 1320. Cohen 387 var. (without drapery on left shoulder). RIC 831. Somewhat smoothed and with minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, good very fine.


Apostolo Zeno (1668-1750) was a Venetian librettist and humanist who worked as poet laureate in Vienna in 1715-1729, where he also curated the imperial coin collection of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI (1685-1740). His collection was preserved for more than two-hundred years, until eventually being sold by Dorotheum in 1955, thus forming one of the oldest and most celebrated pedigrees in ancient numismatics.