Aureus (Coin) Portraying Empress Sabina
134, issued by Hadrian
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
Diam.: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
5638
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold *aureus*, struck in 134 AD under Emperor Hadrian, features a portrait of his empress, Vibia Sabina, on the obverse. Measuring just 1.9 cm in diameter, this-value Roman coin exemplifies the empire's mastery of miniature artistry. The reverse likely bears symbolic imagery, such as deities or imperial motifs, common in Hadrianic coinage to propagate the regime's power and piety. Issued during Hadrian's reign (117–138 AD), the coin served as both currency and propaganda. By depicting Sabina—often shown with a dignified diadem and veiled—Hadrian emphasized dynastic stability, d...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...