Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 1211, PL. 79.2; Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 3637.

1980.02

Sestertius of Hadrian

23.83 g. AD 123

Obv.: Bust of Hadrian r., laureate, draped, cuirassed. IMP(erator) CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG(ustus) P(ontifex) M(aximus) TR(ibunicia) P(otestate) CO(n)S(ul) III.

Rev.: Hadrian standing l., holding roll in left hand and extending r. hand to raise towered woman kneeling and holding globe. RESTITVTOR ORBIS TERRARVM; in exergue, S(enatus)C(onsulto).

Hadrian is proclaimed here as ‘restorer of the world’ (restitutor orbis terrarum), reflecting his policy of restoring prosperity throughout the Roman world (then at its greatest extent). This focused particularly on relieving debt and restoring agricultural prosperity. The roll on his hand here symbolises the records from which he is working, and the globe in the woman’s hand symbolises the world. The towered headdress is a regular symbol of cities, which Hadrian visited in great numbers during his many tours of the empire. There is a long series of similar types associated with specific provinces commemorating his visits to each.

Sear, Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume II, notes that this issue is ‘from an earlier period in the reign than the other ‘restitutor types’.

Mattingly, H.,Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, 6 vols (London, 1965) 1211, PL. 79.2; Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 3637.