Lot 3585

Description

Hadrian, (A.D. 117-138), silver denarius, issued 134-138, Rome mint, (3.192 grams), obv. laureate head to right of Hadrian, around HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, rev. AFRICA around, Africa reclining left, elephant skin head dress, holding scorpion and cornucopiae, a basket of fruit and corn-ears in front, (S.1078 [£110], RIC 299, RSC 138). Well centred, toned, very fine and very scarce in this condition.

The small Roman province of Africa later gave its name to the entire continent.