★ Anepigraphic Reverse ★

Hadrian. AD 117-138. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.27 g, 6h). “Travel series” issue. Rome mint. Group 9, circa AD 130. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Nilus, naked to waist, reclining left, holding cornucopia in right hand, resting left arm on sphinx; to left, hippopotamus standing right; below, in water, crocodile right. RIC II.3 1437 (same obv. die as illustration); cf. RIC II 312; Strack 309β ο var. (reed in left hand); Calicó 1159 var. (same); BMCRE 867 (same obv. die); Biaggi 670 var. (same); Jameson –; Mazzini –; Triton XVII, lot 691 (same dies). Toned, a few minor marks and some faint hairlines. VF. Rare.

From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection (Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio 174, 11 January 2013), lot 5055.