Sestertius - Hadrian PONT MAX TR POT COS II LIBERALITAS AVG S C, Liberalitas

Hadrian's earliest liberalitates — the formal cash distributions to Roman citizens — began almost immediately after his accession in 117 AD, when he discharged the massive debts owed to the treasury by private individuals, publicly burning the records in Trajan's Forum. The COS II dating places this issue firmly within his first years of rule, before 119 AD, when he held his second consulship. These distributions were as much political necessity as generosity: Hadrian's succession was disputed, and buying public goodwill was an immediate priority.