TELLVS STABIL, woman (Tellus?) standing left wearing tunic to knees, holding plow handle in right and rake upwards in left.
Denarius. 17 mm. 3.36 grams.
Emperor Hadrian, 117-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP
Hill says AD 133 is the 400th anniversary of the temple of Tellus at Rome and Foss (p.121) gives it to the 20th anniversary of Hadrian's reign "with an image symbolizing the continuity and stability of the age."
However, many other possible interpetations have been proposed. See this Numis Formums thread:
https://www.numisforums.com/topic/5284-a-new-hadrian-denarius-with-a-unique-reverse-type-tellvs-stabil/
Struck 134-138 [BMC]. Hill says 133. Stevenson (p.776) says the reference is to earthquakes.
Whatever the reference, only Hadrian used this type.
Return to the page with this reverse type.