Brass Sestertius of Hadrian RIC 711

Brass Sestertius (31mm 25.69g) AD 131 Rome

Obv: HADIANVS AVGVSTVS Laureate and draped bust right

Rev: IVSTITIA AVG P P COS III SC Justitia seated left holding scepter and patera

RIC II 711 BMC-1429 Sears-3605
ex. Neptune Numismatics

1. The Front Side (Obverse): A Strong Imperial Image

The front displays a bold, right-facing portrait of Hadrian. He is shown with a laurel wreath and draped clothing over his shoulders.

The Latin inscription reads: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS

• Compared to other coins from his reign, this inscription is short and sweet. It simply pairs his name with AVGVSTVS, the supreme title of the Roman Emperor. By A.D. 131, Hadrian had been on the throne for 14 years; his power was absolute and universally recognized, so he didn't need to crowd the coin with a laundry list of junior titles.

2. The Back Side (Reverse): Divine Justice

The reverse features a beautifully detailed depiction of Justitia (the Roman goddess of Justice) seated comfortably on a chair, facing left. In her hands, she holds a patera (a shallow sacrificial bowl used to pour liquid offerings to the gods) and a scepter (representing royal power and authority).

The inscription wrapping around her reads: IVSTITIA AVG P P COS III with S C in the lower field.

• IVSTITIA AVG (Justitia Augusti): This means "The Justice of the Emperor."
• P P (Pater Patriae): "Father of the Country."
• COS III (Consul for the Third Time): Hadrian’s political dating marker.
• S C (Senatus Consulto): This is a crucial mark found on base-metal Roman coins. It translates to "By Decree of the Senate," proving that while the emperor ruled, the coin was officially backed and authorized by the Roman Senate.

What’s the hidden story here?

By putting the Goddess of Justice on his money and labeling it his justice, Hadrian was sending a massive message to the citizens of Rome: "My government is fair, law-abiding, and watches over you."

The year A.D. 131 was a relatively peaceful and stable high-point for Hadrian's reign. He had recently completed a legendary tour of the eastern provinces and was heavily focused on legal reforms back home. In fact, right around this time, Hadrian tasked a famous jurist named Salvius Julianus with rewriting and organizing the Praetor's Edict—essentially standardizing Roman law so it was applied equally and predictably across the empire.

This coin serves as a proud public announcement of those efforts. It tells the public that the Emperor's laws aren't cruel or arbitrary; they are guided by divine justice, keeping the empire stable and orderly.