Ancient Roman Silver Denarius of Emperor Hadrian / Egypt

Code: 11596

This is an ancient Roman silver denarius, of Emperor Hadrian, struck in Rome between 134 - 138 AD 

Obverse:  HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P; "Hadrian, emperor (Augustus), consul for the third time, father of the nation" bare head of Hadrian facing right.

Reverse:  AEGYPTOS; "Egypt" Egypt reclining left against basket, sistrum in right hand; ibis standing right at feet.

Hadrian visited Egypt during his great tour of the East AD 129-131. He was accompanied by a large entourage including his wife Sabina, her friend the poetess Julia Balbilla, and his young constant companion Antinous, who perished in a rather mysterious drowning in the Nile. The experience seems to have killed Hadrian’s wanderlust, for he returned to Italy and spent his remaining years holed up at his beautiful villa in Tivoli, which included many poignant remembrances of Egypt. On this “travel series” denarius, Egypt is represented by the goddess Isis, who rests her elbow on a basket symbolizing Egypt’s importance as a granary for the Empire, and holds a type of rattle called a sistrum used in religious ceremonies.

This coin was found by a metal detector user in the UK. It is in about EF condition. Superb!

CULTURE: ROMAN

DENOMINATION: Denarius

MATERIAL: Silver

DATE: 117 - 138 AD (this coin minted between 134 - 138 AD)

SIZE: 18mm dia

WEIGHT: 3.06 grams

ATTRIBUTION:  RIC II 297; Strack 294; RSC 100; BMCRE 801

PROVENANCE: Private collection. Leicester, United Kingdom.