RARE ROMAN SESTERTIUS, SABINA, 128-136 AD, RIC 1030 ~ PIETAS WITH CHILDREN

Description

Nice ancient Roman orichalcum sestertius of Sabina, wife of Hadrian (117-138 AD), struck 128-136 AD.  Rome Mint.  28-29.5 mm (min/max dia.)  19.4 grams.
OBVERSE: SABINA AVGVSTA HADRIANI AVG P P, diademed, draped bust right, hair fasted in a long plait at the back and drawn up above forehead.  REVERSE: PIETAS AVG S-C, Pietas standing front, looking left, with her hands on the head of a little girl on the left and a little boy on the right.
RIC 1030; Cohen 52; Sear 3936.
Feel free to ask questions or request additional photos.  Grades, comments and attributions that I offer are not those of a professional grader.  Please verify attributions and use your own judgement in making decisions to purchase.
Virtually all ancient coins are ground recoveries.  Therefore some form of cleaning is necessary and can include soaking, scrubbing, picking and chemical action, depending on the degree of encrustation.  Coins that must be heavily cleaned are often darkened by natural or chemical means to improve the appearance.  Finally, coins are often waxed with microcrystalline wax (standard British Museum practice) to help protect them from moisture and environmental contaminants.  This also helps to protect them from bronze disease.  The wax gives the coin a soft glow, but can be removed with acetone or hot water if desired.