Scroll & Sword
A Voice from the Past
This silver denarius coin was minted in Rome between AD 117–138, during the height of the Pax Romana, a time of relative peace, cultural flourishing, and imperial unity.
Obverse Inscription: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Imagery: A right-facing, laureate bust of Emperor Hadrian, his mantle lightly draped over one shoulder. This classic portrait captures Hadrian’s balance of strength and intellect—an emperor as at home in philosophy as he was in governance.
Reverse Inscription: COS III
Imagery: The Genius of the Roman people stands left, holding a patera over a lighted and garlanded altar, with a ornucopia in his left hand—a rich symbol of Rome's eternal blessings: prosperity, piety, and peace.
Why This Coin?
We selected this denarius to honor Hadrian’s legacy as a builder of culture and stability. Just as he consolidated the empire and celebrated its diverse heritage, we aim to bring the enduring power of classical literature and history to our modern readers.
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