The Roman Empire Hadrian augustus, 117–138 Quinarius

The Roman Empire
Hadrian augustus, 117–138
Quinarius 124-125, AR 16 mm, 280 g. HADRIANVS – AVGVSTVS Laureate bust r., with slight drapery. Rev. COS III Capricorn r. C 438. BMC 440. RIC 727. King 7d (this coin illustrated).
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen in private hands. Lovely old cabinet tone and about extremely fine

Privately purchased from M&M in June 1983.

This extremely rare and exceptionally well preserved quinarius of Hadrian was struck in Rome in AD 124-125, and features a fine portrait of Hadrian on the obverse showing a fold of drapery on his neck and with the accompanying legend HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS. The reverse legend, COS III, indicates the coin was struck during Hadrian's third and final consulship, which he assumed in January of AD 119. Considering quinarii were only struck occasionally and were usually struck as donatives or gifts, it is interesting to consider that this coin may have been given to some official at the celebration of Hadrian's third consulship. The Capricorn on the reverse is a Zodiacal sign which has the head and tail of a goat, while the lower legs are replaced with the tail of a fish or dolphin. The type was first used by Augustus and indicated that he was born during the lunar month of Capricorn. Later emperors, such as on this quinarius of Hadrian, used the same type even if they were not born under the zodiacal sign of Capricorn, in order to present the emperor as the new Augustus.