Heritage Auctions

Auction 3096  –  25 - 27 March 2021

Heritage Auctions, Auction 3096

The Paramount Collection - Ancient and World Coins

Part 1: Th, 25.03.2021, from 10:00 PM CET
Part 2: Fr, 26.03.2021, from 10:00 PM CET
Part 3: Sa, 27.03.2021, from 7:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.
PLEASE NOTE: At the time of printing the catalog, in-person lot viewing and in-person floor bidding can only be accommodated under certain circumstances due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Description

Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (21mm, 7.41 gm, 6h). NGC MS S 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Rome, AD 128-129. HADRIANVS-AVGVSTVS P P, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind / COS-III, Hadrian riding horse pacing right, raising right hand. RIC II 348e. RIC II.3 930. Calicó 1221a. A simply stunning coin in hand. Struck from fresh dies with the engraver's centering arc for the legend still visible on obverse. The flan bright, with cartwheel luster. From the Paramount Collection This bold portrait displays to good effect Hadrian's famous beard, which was a notable departure from the tradition of clean-shaven Roman rulers. Previous Roman emperors were sometimes depicted on their coins with a scruffy light growth along the jaw line; these instances likely represented a "mourning beard" worn after the death of someone in the Imperial family. Hadrian was the first emperor to sport a full, heavy beard, albeit carefully trimmed. Roman historians present two reasons for his facial hair: (1) to hide unsightly pockmarks on his cheeks resulting from a childhood illness, (2) to show his sympathy with Greek philosophers, traditionally shown as bearded. Whatever his reasons for growing it, Hadrian's beard kicked off a fashion trend for Roman emperors that lasted nearly two centuries, until Constantine the Great brought shaving back into favor.

HID09801242017

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Price realized 92'500 USD
Starting price 6'250 USD
Estimate 10'000 USD
The auction is closed.
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