RPC III, 3854

 

Image of specimen #2

 

Coin type
Volume III
Number 3854
Province Syria
Region Phoenicia
City Berytus
Reign Hadrian
Person (obv.) Hadrian (Augustus)
Issue Hadrian Cos II
Dating AD 118
Obverse inscription IMP CAES HADRI AVG III (?)
Edition Imp(erator) Caes(ar) Hadri(anus) Aug(ustus) III
Translation Emperor Caesar Hadrian, Augustus for the third time
Obverse design laureate bust of Hadrian, right, with drapery on shoulder
Reverse inscription COL V BER VIII
Edition col(onia) V Ber(ytus) VIII
Translation the Colony of Berytus, (legions) 5 (and) 8
Reverse design two military standards, each surmounted by eagle and two signa
Metal copper-based alloy
Average diameter 19 mm
Average weight 6.99 g
Axis 1, 12
Reference S 1039–41, Rouvier —
Specimens 4 (2 in the core collections)
Die-links 1–4: same obv. die.
Note 1 and 2 share an obv. die, as does 3 and 4 according to Sawaya. Since 2 and 3 also probably share an obv. die, all 4 speicemens seem to be from the same obv. die. 2: S read IMP CAI AVG III (sic)), but ([IMP CAE[ ]AVG III is more likely: the last downward stroke is not quite vertical and so may represent part of a different or blundered letter). For these coins, and especially the uncertain obverse inscription, see the discussion in the introduction: if it were intended to refer to Hadrian’s 3rd consulship then it would imply that the issue continued just into AD 119. Only the discovery of new specimens will resolve these questions.

Specimens of this coin type

Number Number Museum Bibliography
1 1     Banque de Libaine (illustrated by Sawaya 1040)
2 2     ✸ NY: 1944.100.70235
3 3     NY: 1944.100.70302 S 1040
4 4     Ronde collection (not illustrated by Sawaya).