Rome Hadiran Silver Denarius 117-138AD EF

This silver denarius was struck under the reign of Emperor Hadrian (AD 117–138) at the Rome mint. The obverse features a finely rendered, bare-headed and draped bust of Hadrian facing right. Surrounding the portrait is the inscription HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP, which translates to "Hadrian Augustus, Consul for the third time, Father of the Nation." This legend emphasizes Hadrian’s established role as a seasoned and respected ruler by the time of this issue. The bust is executed in the high style typical of the period, with lifelike detail that reflects the emperor’s reputation as a cultured, intellectual leader.

The reverse depicts Spes, the Roman goddess of hope, standing left and holding a flower in her outstretched right hand. Spes personifies optimism and the promise of future prosperity, making her a fitting symbol for Hadrian’s reign—a time marked by relative peace, architectural grandeur, and consolidation of the empire’s borders. This type was a subtle but effective piece of imperial propaganda, projecting stability and reassurance to the Roman populace.