Thread by @DocCrom

Ancient Coin of the Day: an Aureus of Hadrian, ca. AD 134-138, with a design of Romulus on the Reverse with the Legend "ROMVLO CONDITORI", suggesting Hadrian's presentation of himself as a second founder of Rome. #ACOTD #Hadrian

Image: RIC II Hadrian 370

In the latter years of his reign, Hadrian issued several coins and medallions that made a connection between himself and the founder of Rome. Also noteworthy here is the rejuvenated portrait of Hadrian, without the beard.

The simple Legend on the Obverse, "HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P" - 'Hadrian Augustus, Father of the Fatherland', also speaks towards a streamlining of message, perhaps to further connect him with the founder of the city.

For an interesting discussion of this iconography, see:

Haley, Evan. “Hadrian as Romulus or the Self-Representation of a Roman Emperor.” Latomus, vol. 64, no. 4, 2005, pp. 969–980.

#ACOTD