Rome, Emperor Hadrian, Silver Denarius

Hadrian was a Roman emperor best known for consolidating and strengthening the empire rather than expanding it. He traveled extensively across Roman territories, sometimes with elephants in his entourage for ceremonies and to display imperial power, while inspecting cities and fortifications. He is most famous for building Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, to mark the empire’s northern boundary, as well as for rebuilding parts of Rome, leaving a legacy of stability and architectural splendor during his reign.

The type of coin featured here is a denarius, a small silver coin that was central to the Roman economy for about 450 years. On its obverse side, a denarius typically displayed the image of the reigning emperor, while coins featuring the likeness of empresses were also issued due to their royal status. The reverse sides of denarii exhibited a variety of designs, including gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, military imagery, and architectural symbols.

The question of what a denarius would be worth today is a hotly debated topic. Accurately converting the value of a denarius into modern dollars is impossible, as the economy and standard of living in ancient Rome greatly differed from our contemporary world. Nonetheless, one can estimate the approximate "value" of a denarius by considering its purchasing power when acquiring essential goods. Historians have calculated that a typical Roman peasant family of four required around 1,762 pounds of wheat, 17 gallons of oil, and 106 gallons of wine annually. To secure these staple items during the period of approximately 75 to 125 CE, it cost roughly 200 denarii in the city of Rome, making that the minimum yearly income for a Roman household.

Each coin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.