Art Institute of Chicago

Aureus (Coin) Portraying Empress Sabina

Roman, minted in Rome

Date

134, issued by Hadrian

Medium

Gold

Culture

Rome

Department

Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The arranged marriage between Hadrian (76–138; reigned 117–138) and Sabina (83–136/37), who is portrayed on this gold coin, took place around 100, but ancient writers reported that it was not a loving relationship. They were childless, and although Hadrian granted Sabina many of the honors usually accorded to an empress, he did not mint coins with her portrait until much later in his reign, around 128. The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the bust of Sabina, draped, wearing a diadem; her hair is waved up in a crest. The back (reverse) depicts the goddess Juno standing to the left, veiled, with a patera in her right hand extended over a peacock, her left hand rests on a scepter.

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