HADRIAN (117-138). Denarius. Rome.

Obv: HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P.
Laureate bust right, with slight drapery.
Rev: ROMVLO CONDITORI.
Romulus advancing right, holding spear and trophy.

RIC² 1424.

Hadrian celebrated the anniversary of the founding of Rome on April 21, AD 121. That day commemorated Romulus' demarcation of the city's sacred enclosure: the pomerium. For the occation, the emperor ordered the signs and 'cippi' that delimited it to be restored. According to Roman tradition, the area of the city of Rome could only be increased by rulers who added new provinces to the empire. But this was not the case with Hadrian, who merely reinforced the established boundaries and considered the time for expansion to be over.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 3.40 g.
Diameter: 18 mm.