Ancient Rome - AD 120-122 Hadrian AE Dupondius NGC AU★ in Fine Style

Hadrian AE Dupondius. NGC Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. 11.38g. Obverse: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG PM TRP COS III Radiate bust of bearded Hadrian to right, bare-chested. Reverse: SALVS PVBLICA S-C Salus standing facing left, with patera and rudder. Her right foot is on globe. In her left hand she holds trident. Attractive piece with most of its original detail. A magnificent strike and bold look with its green patina on both sides.

Hadrian in armor, wearing the gorgoneion upon his breastplate. Marble, Roman artwork, c. 127-128 AD, from Heraklion, Crete. Currently in the Louvre, Paris. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Hadrian was Roman emperor from 117 to 138, and was born in Italica, which is near modern Santiponce, Spain, a Roman colony of Italian settlers in Hispania Baetica. His family were the Aelii Hadriani and hailed from the Italian city of Atri in Picenum. They were either among the original founders of Italica or moved there between the 3rd century BC and 1st century AD. Hadrian's father was of senatorial rank and was first cousin to Emperor Trajan. Possibly at the behest of Trajan's wife Pompeia Plotina, Hadrian married Trajan's grand-niece Vibia Sabina early in his career. Upon the death of Trajan, his widow claimed that he had named Hadrian his successor shortly before his passing.