Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Hadrian

Art Institute of Chicago

Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Hadrian

Roman

Date
134-138
Medium
Silver
Culture
Roman Empire
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Institution
Art Institute of Chicago

The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the head of Emperor Hadrian, facing to the right. On the back (reverse), the personification of Egypt is seated, holding a sistrum (a type of musical instrument), and facing an ibis. Egypt was the richest province of the Roman Empire and an important source of grain. The sistrum was an emblem of Egypt and used by priests of Isis in religious ceremonies.

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Object type
AAT300037334

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