The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Hadrian, 117 – 138
Aureus 119-122, AV 7.20 g. IMP CAESAR TRAIA – N HADRIANVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P – COS III Jupiter, naked to waist, seated l. on throne, holding thunderbolt and sceptre. C 1060. BMC 107. RIC 64. Calicó 1304a (this reverse die).
In exceptional state of preservation. An attractive portrait well-struck
in high relief, good extremely fine
Provenance
From the inventory of Robert Kokotailo – Calgary Coin Gallery (Alberta, Canada), sold on 5 May 2003.

Hadrian was an enigmatic figure composed of equally good and bad qualities. At times he could be incredibly cruel and calculating, as when early in his reign he executed several ex-consuls for allegedly conspiring against the throne, even though upon his accession he had promised never to execute a member of the senatorial order. At other times, he showed great sophistication in his understanding of the needs of the Empire. To start, he reversed the expansionist policies of his predecessor Trajan by pulling back some of the more ambitious borders, and then better fortifying them. He also made a virtual career of traveling throughout the provinces to administer his rule first-hand, which clearly had many positive effects.