Hadrian augustus, 117 – 138. Rome 117, AV 20 mm, 7.20 g. IMP CAES TRAIAN HADRIANO OPT AVG G D PART. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. DIVO TRAIANO – PATRI AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan r. C 2. BMC 44. RIC 28. Calicó 1412 (these dies) Very rare and possibly the finest specimen known. Two superb portraits perfectly struck and centred on a full flan. Virtually as struck and almost FdcGraded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5 – Fine Style, brushed, NGC photo certificate number 8567762-007 Ex M&M 43, 1970, 337; Leu 87, 2003, Perfectionist, 23 and NAC 100, 2017, 478 sales. This extraordinary coin fits in the controversial and fascinating theme of Hadrian's adoption by Trajan; a deed greatly wanted and backed by Plotina and repeatedly postponed by the Emperor, who would only consent to the adoption, to the detriment of other claimants to the throne, on his deathbed. On this event two versions have come down to us: the first pretends that the decision of the adoption was ascribed to an actual conviction, albeit belated, of Trajan; the second, instead, suggests a plot, engineered by Plotina, who would have delayed the spreading of the news of her husband's death, with the intent of arranging documentary evidence substantiating Trajan's free will in adopting Hadrian. Various inferences have been made on the nature of the relationship between Hadrian and Plotina, in fact some have even conjectured that the Empress was in love with her husband's protégé, whom she assisted throughout his reign. Surely, she played an instrumental role in the unhappy marriage between Sabina, Trajan's nephew, and Hadrian. In our opinion this issue must be considered the only one struck by Hadrian as Caesar; despite the obverse legend suggesting Trajan is still alive and hence the issuing authority, in reality we believe the coin to have been struck after the demise of the old Emperor and therefore a ruse devised by Plotina and Hadrian to prove the occurrence of the adoption of the latter by Trajan. Please find here the video of the coin