118 NGC Ch XF Hadrian Roman Empire Denarius Aeternitas COS DES III (23101401C)

Choice Extremely Fine Emperor Hadrian Roman Empire silver denarius coin. 3.44g, 18mm, RIC 48, RSC 129. Certified by NGC to Ch XF. Lustrous surfaces. Struck in the later part of 118 CE (COS DES III), appearing on only 5 reverse types. The majority of Hadrian's coinage can not be precisely dated due to lack of specificity in the Imperial titles. Superb portrait of Hadrian and amazing detailed depiction of Aeternitas and heads of Sun and Moon! Obverse: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right with drapery on left shoulder. Reverse: P M TR P COS DES III, AET AVG in field, Aeternitas standing left holding heads of Sun and Moon. Aeternitas was the divine personification of eternity. She was particularly associated with Imperial cult as a virtue of the deified emperor (divus). Aeternitas is usually depicted as a veiled woman holding sceptre, globe, and phoenix, or the sun and moon (referring to eternity). This type is certainly associated with the deification of Hadrian's adopt