Roman Imperial
Hadrian (117-138), Denarius 134-138, Rome mint
Obverse: bare head right
HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Reverse: modius with grain ears and poppy
ANNONA AVG
Weight 3,12 g.
Traian and Hadrian generally did not put information on their coins about the subsequent years of exercising tribunal power (TR P + Roman numerals), precise dating is not always unquestionably certain. Dating this denarius for the period between 134 and 138 AD (i.e. the year of the Emperor's death) is possible on the basis of the bust style and the features of the title, i.e. thanks to the legend of the obverse in the form of HADRIANVS AVG, referring to Octavian Augustus and breaking with Trajan's long legends COS III P P.
The modius shown on the reverse, together with the legend of ANNONA AVG, indicates the supply of food, especially grain, as one of the basic duties of the emperor. From the times of the late republic, Rome was dependent on grain deliveries first from Sicily, then, after Octavian's victory over Cleopatra VII, from Egypt.
