Hadrian. Dupondius

Hadrian; 117-138 AD, Rome, 128-9 AD, Dupondius, 10.57g. RIC-995 (R2), BM-1379, Strack-631 (4 spec.), rev. type var. of C-820. Obv: HADRIANVS - AVGVSTVS P P Bust radiate r., fold of cloak on l. shoulder. Rx: HILA - RI - TAS P R around, [COS III] in exergue, S - C in lower field, Hilaritas standing l. holding palm and scepter, naked male child on l. holding stem of Hilaritas' palm, clothed female child on r. grasping her drapery. The rare variant of this type, not in Cohen or the original edition of RIC, with Hilaritas holding a scepter not cornucopia in her left hand. Strack-631 quotes dupondii of this type in Berlin, Vienna, Munich, and the Vatican; the BM acquired its specimen from L.A. Lawrence in 1934.. Fine / aVF