Hadrian AR Denarius (Palladium, RIC II.3 787)

HADRIAN, AD 117-138
AR Denarius (19.39mm, 2.78g, 6h)
Struck AD 125-126/7. Rome mint
Obverse: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust of Hadrian right, with slight drapery on far shoulder
Reverse: COS III, Minerva (or Palladium,) helmeted and draped, standing left, holding transverse spear and shield decorated with a central boss of a Gorgon's head and eight rays
References: RIC II.3 787; RCV 3469; ERIC II 605

Light toning, somewhat rough/porous surfaces, dings on obverse, excellent reverse strike. An uncommon type for Hadrian. The reverse of this coin depicts Minerva in the form of the Palladium - an archaic wooden cult statue of Athena, said to have been carried off from Troy by Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome. The statue was kept in the Temple of Vesta. This image also appears on the coinage of Septimius Severus.

Collezione : Roman Imperial - the Nerva-Antonine Emperors