Æ41 - Hadrian ΤΟΙϹ ΑΡΚΑϹΙ

Corinth's position as capital of the Roman province of Achaea gave its mint unusual latitude to produce issues honoring neighboring Greek communities, and this piece — struck for the Arcadians — reflects the diplomatic weight Hadrian placed on Hellenic cultural identity during his reign. Hadrian visited Greece multiple times, was initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries, and aggressively cultivated pan-Hellenic sentiment as political policy. The Arcadians, whose claims to autochthonous origin made them a particular object of antiquarian fascination, were a natural recipient of this kind of honorific coinage.

At 41mm and over 41 grams, this is a substantial civic bronze by any provincial measure — closer in heft to a medallion than an everyday exchange piece.