Hadrian visited Antioch in 129–130 AD during his extended eastern tour, and the city's mint responded with a burst of civic bronze issues — this small orichalcum piece among them. The S C legend on a provincial strike is unusual, borrowing the senatorial authorization formula more commonly found on Rome's own aes coinage, and its appearance here likely reflects Antioch's political theater during an imperial visit rather than any genuine jurisdictional statement.
McAlee's subdivision into variety (b) distinguishes die differences within the type. At 1.0 g, these are among the lightest Antiochene bronzes of the period.
Hadrian visited Antioch in 129–130 AD during his extended eastern tour, and the city's mint responded with a burst of civic bronze issues — this small orichalcum piece among them. The S C legend on a provincial strike is unusual, borrowing the senatorial authorization formula more commonly found on Rome's own aes coinage, and its appearance here likely reflects Antioch's political theater during an imperial visit rather than any genuine jurisdictional statement.
McAlee's subdivision into variety (b) distinguishes die differences within the type. At 1.0 g, these are among the lightest Antiochene bronzes of the period.