Sestertius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Hadrian
128-132
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 3.4 cm (1 3/8 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
141703
Art Historical Context
This bronze sestertius, struck during Emperor Hadrian's reign (–138 CE) between 128 and 132 CE, exemplifies the artistry and propaganda of ancient Roman coinage. Measuring just 3.4 cm in, it features a detailed portrait of Hadrian on obverse, likely laureate and togate, symbolizing his imperial authority. The reverse typically depicts deities, victories, or provincial symbols, reinforcing Rome's vast empire. As a mid-value denomination, sestertii circulated widely, making the emperor's image familiar to citizens from Britain to Egypt. Roman imperial coins like this were masterworks of die-eng...
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...