★ Hadrian Cancelling the Debts ★

HADRIAN (117-138). Sestertius. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG P M TR P COS III.
Laureate bust right, with slight drapery on far shoulder.
Rev: RELIQVA VETERA HS NOVIES MILL ABOLITA / S C.
Lictor standing left, torching heap of bonds and holding fasces over shoulder; before him, three citizens standing right, raising hands.

RIC² 264.

Very rare. In the months following his coronation, Hadrian immediately intended to gain the consent of the citizens of the empire and the provinces. To achieve this goal he chose to cancel the tax debts of the last sixteen years with a single generous accounting act, which amounted to over 900 million sesterces. The sum is confirmed by the transcription of the reverse legend of this sestertius (=old receipts in the amount of nine times a hundred thousand sestertii cancelled), which shows the approval of the citizens toward the emperor's actions.

Condition: Very fine.

Weight: 26.27 g.
Diameter: 33 mm.