Denarius - Hadrian P M TR P COS DES II PIETAS, Pietas

Struck in 117 AD, the year Hadrian came to power under circumstances that remain historically murky. Trajan died in Cilicia in August of that year, and Hadrian's adoption was announced only after the emperor's death — almost certainly backdated, with Trajan's wife Plotina widely suspected of manipulating the succession. The COS DES II designation places this coin firmly in those first chaotic months before Hadrian had secured his second consulship, making it among the earliest issues of the reign.

Four Praetorian prefects were executed shortly after Hadrian's accession, allegedly for conspiracy. The Senate never forgave him for it.