The reverse of this aureus, part of Hadrian's famous "Travel Series" struck in AD 130, commemorates his visit to Egypt and the Nile's significance to Roman prosperity. The Nile, vital for its annual floods that fertilized farmland and its role as a transport artery for Egyptian grain, was essential for sustaining Rome's population. The depiction of the river god Nilus symbolizes this importance, portraying him as a reclining, semi-nude figure surrounded by Egyptian fauna such as a crocodile and a hippopotamus, while holding a cornucopia to signify abundance. This imagery highlights the centrality of the Nile to both Egypt and Rome's interconnected prosperity.

Hadrian’s visit to Egypt in AD 130-131 took on personal significance due to the tragic drowning of his companion, Antinous, in the Nile. While ancient sources speculate whether Antinous’ death was accidental, ritualistic, or sacrificial to aid Hadrian’s health, the event profoundly impacted the emperor, who deified Antinous and encouraged his cult worship. The coins from this period, particularly in Egypt, reflect this emotional loss and the emperor’s connection to the region. The aureus, struck six years after the incident, reflects Hadrian's enduring nostalgia for Egypt and the Nile.

Hadrian's villa at Tivoli celebrated his travels, with its Canopus pool inspired by the canal linking Alexandria and Canopus in Egypt. Statues of the Nile and the Tiber adorned the villa, showcasing Hadrian’s admiration for these rivers and their symbolic importance. The coins of the Nile, including sestertii and aurei, depict variations of the river god, sometimes accompanied by reeds, urns, or additional symbols. On some coins, playful elements like children—possibly representing putti or the four seasons—appear alongside Nilus, enriching the designs and reflecting the artistic creativity of the period.

The designs on these coins likely drew inspiration from monumental statues, such as one now preserved in the Vatican, which includes numerous putti symbolizing the ideal annual flood level of the Nile. The high artistry of these coins and their association with Hadrian’s personal experiences underscore their historical and artistic value. Through their intricate depictions, these coins not only commemorate Hadrian’s travels and the significance of the Nile but also reflect the emperor’s deep sense of loss and longing, immortalized in a medium that celebrated Rome’s reach and cultural legacy.

Hadrian (AD 117-138). AV aureus (20mm, 7.12 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 134-138. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head of Hadrian left / No legend, Nilus reclining left, half draped, holding cornucopia cradled in right arm, left arm resting on sphinx rearing right; before him, hippopotamus walking right with head raised and mouth open, below, crocodile advancing left amid waves on river embankment. RIC --, cf. 312a (bare head right, Nilus holds reed). BMCRE --, 867 note (same). Calicó --, cf. 1161 (same). An apparently unrecorded and possibly unique variety.