Lot 1984

Description

Aelius, as Caesar (A.D. 136-138), gold aureus, issued A.D. 137 as a special issue for the adoption of Aelius, Rome mint, (7.30 grams), obv. bare head of Aelius to right, around L AELIVS CAESAR, rev. Concordia enthroned to left holding patera in extended right hand and resting left elbow on cornucopiae around TRIB POT COS II, in exergue CONCORD, (cf.S.1206 and 1208 [denarius], RIC 443, C.10, Hill 772). Extremely fine and very rare.

The failing Hadrian attempted to ensure the succession by adopting Aelius Caesar in the Summer of A.D. 136. Ancient sources record that there was expended vast sums in celebration of his heir, distributing 300 million sestertces to the military alone (SHA Ael. 3, 3). These expendatures are not reflected in the coinage for A.D. 136, but much of the coinage of the following year is related to Aelius. This aureus belongs to the first issue of A.D. 137, the first struck to commemorate the adoption. The Concordia type proclaims the harmony of the new imperial colleagues.