This pendant is an incredibly realistic replica of an ancient Roman coin from Emperor Hadrian’s reign, minted in the year 129AD. Hence the name. The piece is a 1:1 recreation of the real coin in 940 Argentium silver. You can see the original gold artefact in the last couple photos. One side of the coin features a portrait of Hadrian, while the other shows him mounted with a lance. Hadrian was the first Roman emperor to be depicted with a beard.
Emperor Hadrian’s reign from 117 to 138 AD was a masterstroke of leadership, blending military strategy with a profound love for culture and the arts. Under his watchful eye, the Roman Empire flourished, focusing on strengthening its borders with monumental feats like Hadrian’s Wall rather than conquering new territory, and nurturing a golden age of art and philosophy.
Hadrian himself, with his iconic beard, embodied the wisdom of the philosopher-king, making his mark not just in the annals of governance but in the heart of Roman culture. His architectural legacy, epitomized by the awe-inspiring Pantheon, and his dedication to the empire’s prosperity, set a new benchmark for leadership. Hadrian’s era was more than just a chapter in history; it was a testament to the power of wisdom and vision in shaping a civilization that still captivates our imagination today.
At the time, beards were worn primarily by philosophers and scientists. Hadrian believed an emperor should be as wise as he was powerful, and the beard was a mark of this. The first recorded instance of the “philosopher-king archetype.” This trend continued with his successor, Antoninus Pius, then Marcus Aurelius – widely considered not only one of the greatest philosophers, but also leaders in recorded history.
The COSIII on the rear of the coin stands for “Consul Tertium”, meaning consul for the third time. A consul was the highest elected public official of the Roman Empire. They served terms similar to today’s elected officials. The coin this ring was based on was minted during Hadrian’s 3rd term, so it’s engraved as such.
The coin is attached to the chain via a flattened, 2D bail. This clean, modern style of bail contrasts with the worn appearance of the coin. On either side of the connection point a trident and the Roman numeral for 3 are engraved, referencing Hadrian’s posthumous status as the third of the “Good Emperors”.
The Five Good Emperors were the ancient Roman imperial succession of Nerva (reigned 96–98 AD), Trajan (98–117AD), Hadrian (117–138AD), Antoninus Pius (138–161AD), and Marcus Aurelius (161–180AD), who presided over the most majestic days of the Roman Empire, and by extension most of human history.
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