Hadrian Denarius Priestly Implements Graded Choice VF Rare Variety

Hadrian denarius priestly implements reverse struck at Rome AD 127. Grade Choice Very Fine by NGC with a 4/5 strike and 2/5 surfaces with a “brushed” details – hairlines visible from cleaning.

The reverse type of this coin has the implements in the order lituus, jug, sprinkler and simpulum as opposed to the typical simpulum, sprinkler, jug and lituus as RIC 198. I can find only 2 other examples of this type, one in the British Museum, catalogue number 1988,0519.5 which was part of the Bletchley hoard and another sold by Noonan’s April 13th 2002 sale lot number 1381 that achieved a £360 hammer (£463.68 with fees) against an estimate of £150 – although wrongly described at least 2 bidders noticed the variety.

Obverse: Laureate head of Hadrian right. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Reverse: Lituus, jug, sprinkler and simpulum. COS III
References: RIC 198(var), RSC 454b, RCV 3483 (var)
Diameter: 17mm
Weight: 3.24 grams

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