Ancient, Celtic, British and World Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Hadrian (117-138), Sestertius, laureate head right, rev. lictor setting fire to pile of papers, reliqva vetera hs novies mill abolita (RIC 590b; Sear 1020). Only fair but very rare (£70-100)

This interesting and very rare type refers to one of Hadrian’s early measures, namely the wiping out of all private debt to the state. This extraordinary gesture may have made to placate public opinion alarmed by the executions on the orders of Hadrian of four ex consuls suspected of conspiracy