Ave!
Hadrian, Denarius, Historically Important! LOOK!
Silver; 19mm/3.1gm Rome Mint 117 AD
Con/ Soft strike to right on the obverse, otherwise, Very Fine
Obv/ IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO OPT AVG GER DAC, laureate head right with slight drapery on the left shoulder
Rev/ PARTHICO DIVI TRAIAN AVG F P M TR P COS P P, ADOPTIO below; Trajan, holding scroll, and Hadrian, standing right and left, clasping hands.
Ref/ RIC Vol II, 3A rated scarce; RSC 4; Sear 3454
Seller's Note/ Why is this issue historically important? In AD 117, Trajan officially announced that the next new adopted Roman emperor would be Hadrian.
As Caesar under Trajan, Hadrian was - contrary to a deception which has lasted to modern times - never officially adopted by Trajan. Coins with the legend ADOPTIO were struck purely to convince people of his claim to the imperial title, in order to avoid civic unrest.
Vert Rare for discerning collectors!