Ancient Rome - AD 117-138 Hadrian AV Aureus NGC XF in Fine Style

From the Historical Scholar Collection and previously the collection of Edward J. Waddell, Jr. 

Hadrian AV Aureus. NGC XF in Fine Style. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. 18mm, 7.23g, 5h. Rome mint c. 124/125 AD. The obverse presents lifelike imagery of Hadrian's laureate head facing right. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS around. Reverse offers C-O-S above with the mythical she wolf nursing the twins Romulus and Remus upon a plane. In exergue is III with a line above it. This piece is from the Historical Scholar Collection (Ex Edward J. Waddell, Jr., private sale with old dealer tag). Among the goals of this collector was to showcase the amazing creativity  and skill of ancient engravers through high-grade examples of some of the most beautiful types. This dramatic example offered by AUCM is indeed one of those.  References: RIC II.3 709. Calicó 1233.

Edward J. Waddell, Jr., numismatist and dealer, who once owned this amazing work of numismatic art. Photo: Coinsweekly.com.

The Roman foundation myth tells us that it was a she-wolf that sheltered and nursed the twins Romulus and Remus after their abandonment in the wild upon the order of King Alulius of Alba Longa. She cared for the babies in her den, a cave called the Lupercal, until they were discovered by a shepherd, Faustulus. Later Romulus would become the founder and first king of Rome. The image of the she-wolf nursing the twins, as found on this coin, has been a symbol of Rome since antiquity. It is one of the most iconic images of ancient mythology.

The wolf held a special place in ancient Italy. One legend tells us that the Hirpini people were so named because when they founded their first colony, they were brought to it by a wolf (from the Osco-Umbrian word for wolf: hirpus). The story of the Lupercal is of major importance to that of Romulus and Remus, and possibly predates theirs. The Roman god Mars considers the wolf a sacred creature. There appears to be a connection between the ancient Roman festival of the Lupercalia and wolves. The wolf also appears in Greek mythology. Apollo's mother Leto reportedly gave birth to him as a she-wolf to evade Hera.