Sestertius - Hadrian CLEMENTIA AVG P P COS III S C; Clementia
| Orichalcum | 25 g | 32.5 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Hadrian (Publius Aelius Hadrianus) (117-138) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 129-130 |
| Value | 1 Sestertius = ¼ Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Orichalcum |
| Weight | 25 g |
| Diameter | 32.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#255642 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Clementia standing left, holding patera and sceptre.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CLEMENTIA AVG P P
COS III
S C
Translation:
Clementia Augusti. Pater Patriae, Consul Tertium. Senatus Consultum.
Clemency of the emperor (Augustus). Father of the nation, consul for the third time. Decree of the senate,
Comment
Source: Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that the metal it's made of, orichalcum, is a fictional metal that was believed to have been used in ancient times, but there's no archaeological evidence to support its existence. The term "orichalcum" comes from a description of a fictional metal by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod, who described it as a shining metal that was used to build the gates of the underworld. Despite its questionable existence, the use of the term "orichalcum" has been adopted by some numismatists to describe coins made of a particular type of brass alloy that was used in ancient Rome.