Image:Aureus - Adriano - RIC 0144.jpg

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Hadrian. 117-138. AV Aureus (7.34 gm). Dated 874 AUC (April 21, 121 AD).

IMP CAES HADRIANVS AVG COS III, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

ANN DCCCLXXIIII NAT VRB P CIR CON, Genius of the Circus reclining left, head right, holding wheel and holding meta set on base at the end of the circus spina.

RIC II 144; Strack 56b; BMCRE 333; Calicó 1201; Cohen 162. EF. Extremely rare, and one of only two Roman coin types dated by the founding of the city.

In 121 AD Hadrian was busy making preparations for his first tour of the Roman Empire. Before his departure he left his mark by honoring the memory of Rome. This wonderful coin alludes to the chariot-races instituted by him, evidenced by the reverse legend, P[rimum] CIR[censes] CON[stituit] in celebration of the 874th year of the foundation of Rome (ad urbe condita) by Romulus and Remus. A long established tradition placed the birthday of Rome on the eleventh day before the Kalends (first day) of May, in coincidence with the festival of the Parilia, now under the new name Nat[alis] Urb[is]. This corresponds to April 21 in the Julian calendar. Parilia was a spring festival in honour of Pales, god (or goddess) of shepherds and herds, and was obviously related to the solar agricultural calendar.

Coin from CNG coins, through Wildwinds. Used with permission.

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