Series: Empire – Hadrian
Reference: RIC II Part 3 SE Hadrian 1541

Dynasty and ruler: Antonine - Hadrian
Year and mint: 130–133 AD - Rome
Obverse: Head of Hadrian, right. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Reverse: Italia standing left, holding a sceptre and cornucopia. ITALIA

Grade: EF- - g -
Provenance: CNG, 2026

Comment:
Hadrian belonged to the Antonine dynasty and ruled the Empire from 117 to 138 AD. Unlike his predecessor Trajan, he abandoned the policy of extensive conquest and devoted much of his reign to consolidating the frontiers and reorganising the imperial administration.
He was one of Rome’s most widely travelled emperors. He journeyed through much of the provinces to learn about their needs firsthand, inspect the army and promote numerous public works. These journeys gave rise to an extensive coin series known as the “Travels of Hadrian,” in which the various provinces and regions of the Empire appear personified. This denarius dedicated to Italia forms part of that celebrated series.
The coin was minted between 130 and 133, during the emperor’s last great journeys. In those years Hadrian travelled through Greece, Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt, while the Empire experienced a period of stability that would soon be disrupted by the Bar Kokhba revolt.
On the reverse, Italia is personified as a female figure holding a sceptre and a cornucopia. The sceptre represents her authority and central position within the Empire, while the cornucopia symbolises the abundance and prosperity of her lands.
Unlike the provinces visited by Hadrian, Italia held a unique position as the political and historical centre of the Roman world. Her inclusion in the series recalls that, after travelling through the territories of the Empire, Hadrian eventually returned to Italia and Rome, the centre of imperial power.