Obv: Laureated drapped and curaissed bust right "AYTOKAIC TKRAJA DRIANOC API CEB GERM DAK PARTh (in Greek)
Rev: Eagle Head and tail left and wing spread standing on club half right palm in right field, wreth on beak. DHMARX EZ OYCIAC (in Greek)

Metal: Silver 14.14 Grams, 25 mm diameter. Condition:Toned VF (rare)

Rare coin only 4 specimens cited. This coin is surely the first year of issue for Hadrian because it bears the Trajan Type. It appears that Hadrian returned the mint to Antioch. This coin tends to confirm that the Trajan issues with club were all minted in Tyre because when Hadrian returns to Antioch he changes the club to a thigh bone, indicating the club is the mint mark and not the eagle.

Hadrian was probably born in Rome on 24 January 76 AD. His father was a cousin of Trajan and the family found itself ever more well connected with the rising fortunes of Trajan. Upon his father's death Hadrian became a ward of Trajan at the age of 10. When Nerva died, Hadrian was determined to be the first to bring the news the Trajan and despite obstacles placed in his way by envious rivals he succeeded in winning the race to Trajan. Trajan and Hadrian soon became close friends. In the second Dacian War (105 - 106 AD), Hadrian commanded the first Legion., afterwards he was made praetor and in 107 AD Hadrian was made governor of Lower Pannonian. The next year Hadrian became consul. In 114 AD, Hadrian was made governor of the important province of Syria. In 117 AD, Hadrian succeeded Trajan, however the adoption letters may have been forged.

Hadrian's first significant act was to abandon the eastern territories and pull back to the natural borders formed by the Rhine, Danube and Euphrates rivers. Hadrian proved to be an energetic and efficient ruler. He tightened discipline in the army, strengthened the frontiers( including building Hadrian's wall to protect the province of Britain) and gave assistance to the children of the poor. Hadrian made an effort (3 journeys between 121 and 134 AD) to visit his vast territories in person to inspect the government himself. Hadrian had a passion for Greek learning and established an institute of liberal arts which was called the "Athenaeiu". He was nicknamed "Greekling" He was also a great builder.

In his final days, Hadrian suffered from sever illness and he tried to get hold of poison or a sword to take his own life and even requested a servant "Mastor" to plunge a sword into his side after having marked the exact spot with coloured line. In 138 AD, in dispair Hadrian handed over the reins of power to Antonius Pius and retired to his pleasure resort at Baiae. Hadrian died on 10 July 138 AD and eventually (after completion) his ashes were buried in his grand mausoleum in Rome.