Skip to Content
Closed today, next open Thursday. Closed today, next open Thursday.

Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Hadrian

A work made of gold.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

Image actions

  • A work made of gold.

Date:

120-123, issued by Hadrian

Artist:

Roman; minted in Rome

About this artwork

Portraits of important people appear on local currency all around the world. The same was true in ancient Rome, which began producing its first coinage in the late 4th century BCE. Early coins depicted the heads of gods and goddesses on the front side, often in profile, while the back depicted animals, natural resources, symbols, and references to historical events. It was not until 44 BCE that the portrait of a living person—Julius Caesar—appeared on coins. Thereafter, profile portraits of rulers or other members of the imperial family became the standard subject on coins throughout the Roman Empire.

Starting in 96 with the reign of Emperor Nerva, Rome was ruled by five wise leaders who came to be known as the “Good Emperors.” Nerva (reigned 96–98) was an honest and respected senator who enacted compassionate social programs. His rule ushered in a period of peace and prosperity, which is suggested by the sheer abundance of coins produced during this era as well as by the skill and artistry of the images created. Coins of this period, especially gold aurei like this one, were often perfectly round, well struck, and centered.

On this coin Hadrian - another “Good Emperor” - wears a short beard, initiating a trend that was popular among his successors for the next two centuries.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium

Culture

Ancient Roman

Title

Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Hadrian

Place

Roman Empire (Minted in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Struck 120 CE–123 CE

Medium

Gold

Inscriptions

Obverse: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG Reverse: P M TR P COS III

Dimensions

Diam.: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Katherine K. Adler Memorial, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Alexander, and Ancient Art Purchase Funds

Reference Number

2004.144

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/182871/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share