AR Denarius, A.D. 134-138, Rome, 19.9mm, 3.02g, 180°, RIC II 338.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS PP. Laureate head right.
Rev: COS III. Abundantia seated left holding sickle over modius and cornucopia.
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Publius Aelius Hadrianus, commonly known as Hadrian, was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. His predecessor Trajan was a maternal cousin of Hadrian's father. Trajan never officially designated an heir, but according to his wife Pompeia Plotina, Trajan named Hadrian emperor immediately before his death.He is best-known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman territory in Britain. In Rome, he built the Pantheon and the Temple of Venus and Roma. He was the third of the so-called Five Good Emperors.

During his reign, Hadrian traveled to nearly every province of the empire. His visits were marked by handouts which often contained instructions for the construction of new public works. His intention was to strengthen the Empire from within through improved infrastructure, as opposed to conquering or annexing perceived enemies. Despite his own great reputation as a military administrator, Hadrian's reign was marked by a general lack of major military conflicts, apart from the Second Roman-Jewish War. He surrendered Trajan's conquests in Mesopotamia, considering them to be indefensible. There was almost a war with Parthia around 121, but the threat was averted when Hadrian succeeded in negotiating a peace.

Hadrian died in 138 on the 10th of July, in his villa at Baiae at age 62. The cause of death is believed to have been heart failure. Hadrian was buried first at Puteoli, near Baiae, on an estate which had once belonged to Cicero. Soon after, his remains were transferred to Rome and buried in the Gardens of Domitia. Finally, upon completion of the Tomb of Hadrian in Rome in 139 by his successor Antoninus Pius, his body was cremated, and his ashes were placed there together with those of his wife Vibia Sabina and his first adopted son, Lucius Aelius, who also died in 138. Antoninus also had him deified in 139 and given a temple on the Campus Martius.