Description

The Coin

Sabina Augusta, Wife of Hadrian (c. 136 CE)
Silver denarius.
Obv: Diademic bust
Rev: Venus standing holding apple and drawing fold of drapery across her shoulder.

Sabina Augusta

This coin is a silver denarius. It is thought to have been minted between 134-136 AD, 134 marking a change from gold to silver in coins depicting Sabina Augusta and 136 being her death. It is also thought to have been minted in Rome, given the Latin inscription and preponderance of imperial coins being minted at Rome. Hadrian first started minting coins for his wife, Sabina, in 128 AD when she received the honorary title of “Augusta”. This title of “Augusta” has not come without speculation, as it has been thought that Hadrian may have bestowed this title upon his wife to appease her for his infidelity with his lover Antinous. Along with the change from mainly gold to silver in 134 AD, the inscription on the coins also changed from SABINA AUGUSTA HADRIANA AUG PP to SABINA AUGUSTA.

On the obverse side, the inscription on the coin says “Sabina Augusta”. With a diadem, hair piled above and braided below, this bust of Sabina bears much similarity to her mother Salonia Matidia. Sabina is depicted with fine features and a pleasant countenance. The diadem symbolizes her ascendence to “Augusta”.

On the reverse side, the inscription on the coin says “Veneri Genetrici”. This specific rendition of Venus was first commissioned by Julius Caesar, with the epithet of “Genetrix”, or mother, relating Caesar to divine lineage. This has been seen as a claim on Hadrian’s behalf to relate his ancestry to the Julian bloodline. On the image itself, Venus is draped in a cloak and holding an apple, a reference to the Trojan War when Eris tossed a golden apple that said “to the fairest,” leading to the judgement of Paris and then the Trojan War. Other connections to Venus and apples have been made; however, this is the predominant theory.