Judaea, Hadrian, AE, Caesarea Maritima Mint, 117-138 AD – Serapis – RR

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Description

Roman Provincial, Judaea, Hadrian, AE (bronze, 12.13, 23.4mm), Caesarea Maritima Mint, 117-138 AD
Obv: IMP TRA HA[DRIANO CAES AVG]; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, seen from behind
Rev: COL I FL AVG CAESARENS; draped bust of Serapis right, wearing calathus
Ref: RPC III 3959; Rosenberger 29 Rarity/Choice: Scarce, Good VF (some peripheral deposit, otherwise, beautiful portrait and earthen highlights on dark brown-green patina)
Note: Hadrian was a Roman Emperor who ruled from AD 117 to 138. He is known for consolidating and strengthening the Empire’s borders, building Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, and his extensive travels throughout the Roman provinces. His reign was marked by a relative peace and the flourishing of arts and architecture. During Hadrian’s reign, Caesarea Maritima was an important city and administrative center in the province of Judaea. It was originally founded by Herod the Great and later became a prominent Roman colony. The presence of Serapis on the reverse of the coin highlights the blending of Roman and local religious traditions, as well as the city’s significance in the wider context of the Roman Empire.  The obverse features a laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Hadrian to the right, seen from behind. The laurel wreath symbolizes victory and honor, while the drapery and cuirass (armor) signify his role as a military leader and protector of the Empire. “IMP TRA HADRIANO CAES AVG” stands for “Imperator Traianus Hadrianus Caesar Augustus,” emphasizing Hadrian’s status as emperor.  The reverse shows a draped bust of Serapis to the right, wearing a calathus (a basket-like headdress). Serapis was a Graeco-Egyptian deity associated with the underworld, fertility, and healing, reflecting the syncretic nature of religious practices in the Roman Empire. “COL I FL AVG CAESARENS” refers to “Colonia Prima Flavia Augusta Caesariensis,” indicating the minting city of Caesarea Maritima and its status as a Roman colony. This coin not only served as a medium of exchange but also as a representation of the cultural and political integration within the Roman Empire.

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