Hadrian (117-138), Sestertius, Rome, 134-138; Æ (22,76 g; 33,5 mm; 6 h)

HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP Laureate, draped bust of Hadrian to r.; Rv. RESTITVTORI ITALIAE Hadrian, togate, standing r., holding roll in l. hand and extending r. to raise up kneeling Italia in front of him; in exergue, S C. RIC 956. Dark brown patina. Exceptional condition. Superb portrait of elegant style. Small traces of previous cleaning; details show minimal signs of old tooling. Near FDC.

The stylistic analysis of the coin shows peculiarities ascribable to an engraver very close to the author of the extraordinary sestertius sold under lot number 1064 in Auction 144 Classical Numismatic Group / Numismatica Arws Classica / Numismatica Ggenevensis, Zurich, 8 May 2024 (Provenance: Sarti Collection; Sangiorgi Auction of 7 May 1906; Cope Collection; LEU Auction No. 25/1980).