Hadrian DIVIS PARENTIBVS Aureus Replica | Hand-Struck Silver Coin

Why collectors buy this piece

• Inspired by one of Hadrian’s rare gold aureus types honoring his deified adoptive parents Trajan and Plotina
• Features three major imperial figures on a single coin: Hadrian, Trajan, and Empress Plotina
• Reverse legend DIVIS PARENTIBVS means “To the Divine Parents,” making the dynastic and religious message unusually explicit
• Stars above Trajan and Plotina identify their divine status and reinforce the consecration theme
• Strong appeal for collectors interested in Hadrian, Trajan, imperial women, dynastic succession, and Roman deification imagery
• A silver strike of a gold aureus type, offering the celebrated design in a more accessible hand-struck format
• Faithfully reproduced using traditional hand-struck methods in sterling silver
• Each coin is intentionally irregular — like ancient originals

Best suited for collectors seeking a rare Hadrian aureus type combining imperial succession, deification symbolism, and portraits of Trajan and Plotina.

Overview & Craftsmanship

This Hadrian DIVIS PARENTIBVS aureus replica is hand-struck in sterling silver and inspired by the gold issue struck at Rome in 130 AD. The original type belongs to Hadrian’s imperial aureus coinage, while this reproduction presents the design as a silver strike for collectors who want the same historically important composition in a more accessible material.

The obverse shows the bare head of Hadrian facing right with the legend HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P. The reverse presents the confronting busts of Trajan and Plotina, Hadrian’s deified adoptive parents, with a star above each portrait and the legend DIVIS PARENTIBVS.

Each piece is individually struck by hand rather than cast, preserving the irregular flan, varied relief, and surface character associated with ancient coinage. Unlike machine-pressed copies, hand-struck replicas retain the depth, individuality, and visual character that make ancient-style coinage so distinctive.

Historical & Numismatic Background

• Hadrian succeeded Trajan in 117 AD after being adopted as his heir shortly before Trajan’s death.
• Plotina, Trajan’s wife, played an important role in the imperial household and was closely associated with Hadrian’s accession.
• Both Trajan and Plotina were subsequently deified, allowing Hadrian to present them not simply as his adoptive predecessors but as divine members of the imperial family.
• The reverse legend DIVIS PARENTIBVS translates as “To the Divine Parents,” directly expressing Hadrian’s dynastic relationship with the deified couple.
• Trajan and Plotina appear facing one another on the reverse, with a star above each bust. In Roman imperial imagery, the star was commonly associated with consecration and the elevation of deceased members of the imperial family to divine status.
• By combining Hadrian’s portrait with those of Trajan and Plotina, the coin creates a powerful visual statement of legitimacy, continuity, and familial succession.
• The type was originally struck as a gold aureus rather than a silver denarius, making surviving ancient examples especially prestigious and rare.
• For collectors, the design is remarkable because it brings together three major figures of the adoptive imperial succession on a single coin.

Numismatic References:

This replica is inspired by ancient issues documented in standard numismatic references, including:

– RIC II.3 1419

– BMCRE 603

– Calicó 1417

– Biaggi 567

Technical Details & Variations

Type: Hadrian DIVIS PARENTIBVS aureus replica

Denomination represented: Aureus type

Authority / Mint: Rome

Era represented: 130 AD

Material: Sterling silver (AR)

Weight: approx. 3-4 gr

Dimensions: approx. 19-20 mm

Manufacturing method: Hand-struck (hammered)

Obverse: Bare-head of Hadrian right
Legend:
HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P

Reverse: Confronted portraits of Trajan, draped and Plotina, diademed and draped; a star above each head
Legend:
DIVIS PAREN-TI BVS

Due to the traditional hand-striking process, variations in weight, diameter, strike, centering, and surface are expected.

Intended Use

Suitable for:

– collectors of ancient and historical coinage

– academic or educational reference

– museum or exhibition display

– historically accurate reenactment

– high-quality numismatic gifts

Replica Disclaimer

This item is a hand-struck replica inspired by ancient coinage. It is not an original ancient coin.

Explore related Hadrian and imperial family coin pages:

• See the Hadrian she-wolf aureus replica
• See the Hadrian Salus denarius replica
• View ancient Roman coin replicas