Roger Uselton Collection of Ancient and Biblical Coins
Coin Detail
- Uselton Catalog #: 25
- Class: Roman Imperatorial & Imperial
- Ruling Authority: Hadrian (117-138 A.D.)
- Date Struck: 134-138 A.D.
- Type: AR (silver) denarius
- Size: 18.46 mm.
- Weight: 2.85 g.
- Die Axis: 180°
- Obverse: HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP; laureate head right.
- Reverse: VOTA PV-BLICA; veiled emperor standing left, sacrificing out of patera over tripod.
- Exergue: RIC II 290; Sear 3550.
- References: RIC II 290; Sear 3550.
- Original #: 23
Apparently this is a scarce reverse for Hadrian. The “Vota Publica” reverse has nothing to do with voting. The legend means “public vows”; here we see Hadrian making vows to the gods and pouring out a libation over an altar with fire in a public display of piety.