Dupondius Hadrian - Egypt

HADRIAN. Æ Dupondius. Roma, Circa 131-132 AD. Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP Draped bust right Rev. AEGYPTOS SC Egypt reclining left, holding sistrum, resting elbow on basket of fruit or grain; before, ibis standing right on low column. RIC 839, C. 114 Hadrian produced an extensive series of coins bearing personifications of the provinces of the Empire, either alone or with Hadrian as adventus or as restitutor. These commemorate his visits and benefactions and the complete group includes Achaia, Aegyptos, Africa, Alexandria, Asia, Gallia, Germania, Hispania, Italia, Macedonia and Nilus. The issues for Egypt (including Alexandria and Nilus) are the most extensive, very possibly because of the connection with Antinoos. According to Curtis Clay, "Hill's (and Strack's) dating of Hadrian's Travel Series is incorrect. That series, as shown by die links on the aurei and other evidence, certainly fell at the very BEGINNING of the issue characterized by the obv. legend HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. Assuming a fairly constant volume of denarius production year by year from 128 to 138, that H A COS III P P issue will have begun c. 130-131, which will accordingly also be the correct date for the Travel Series." The flan is made of yellow orichalcum, making this coin a Dupondius despite the laureated portrait is usually a feature of the As. Sharp strike, fine style. Ex. R. Beale (Roma Num.), Vcoins, 5 Oct. 2010