Denarius - Hadrian COS III

The COS III dating places this issue firmly after Hadrian's third consulship commenced in 119 AD, though coins bearing that titulature continued well into the following decade. The years 128–129 coincide with Hadrian's extensive eastern tour, during which he visited Athens, was initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries, and formally dedicated the Olympieion — a temple nearly 700 years in the making. Roman mints continued striking in his name throughout these travels, and the output was substantial enough that RIC II.3 subdivides the COS III material across dozens of distinct types.