Hadrian augustus, 117 – 138
Aureus circa 133-135, AV 7.33 g. HADRIANVS – AVG COS III P P Bare head r. Rev. VOTA – PVBLICA Hadrian standing l., sacrificing with patera over altar; victimarius standing l., sacrificing bull with axe; soldier holding spear, flute player, and youth all standing r. C 1480. BMC 776. RIC 289 = RIC II, 2035. Calicó 1404. Extremely rare. A very interesting and fascinating issue with a bold portrait and a pleasant light reddish tone, good very fine Ex Heritage Europe sale 52, 2016, 486. The remarkable sacrificial scene on the reverse of this aureus refers to the celebration of vota publica (“public vows”) to the gods taken at the beginning of every year (and on some other occasions) by the people of Rome and the provinces for the safety of the Emperor. This custom went back to the Republic, when vota pro salute rei publicae (“vows for the security of the republic”) were taken by the people at the beginning of the consular year on 1 January. In 30 BC, the Senate decreed additional vota publica for the health of Augustus to be made on 3 January, a custom that continued until the fall of the Roman Empire. The sacred vota were sealed by sacrifices to such gods as Jupiter, Juno, and Salus (Health) and associated with the distribution of imperial largesse to the army and people. The present coin was probably struck for distribution as part of a donative to the army on the occasion of the vota publica for Hadrian at the beginning of AD 137. The vota of this year was an extra special occasion because it also marked the beginning of the celebration of the Emperors vicennalia, the 20th anniversary of his accession.