Sestertius - Hadrian ANNONA AVGVSTI S C, Annona

Hadrian's early sestertii from 119–120 fall within the administrative reshuffling that followed his accession and the controversial execution of four senior senators — an act that poisoned his relationship with the Senate almost immediately. The ANNONA AVGVSTI reverse was a deliberate rhetorical move, associating the new emperor with grain supply stability at a moment when his political legitimacy was still contested. Annona types cluster heavily in the early years of his reign, then thin out considerably, suggesting a calculated short-term messaging campaign rather than a standing policy commemoration.