The design shows the goddess/personification
Salus (health/welfare) feeding a
snake which is wound around an
altar.
Salus Augusti is generally a form of sacrifice in honour of the
health of the Emperor - specifically the fulfillment of a vow that
had been made to
Salus when the Emperor was ill. By contrast
Salus Publica was evoked for the
health and welfare of the public.
On coins like this where the
legend does not define which one is meant it is hard to be 100% certain, but
BMC makes it clear that these issues of
Hadrian with
Salus feeding a
snake are
Salus Augusti types expressing hopes for the
health of the Emperor. Not sure if he was known to be sick or there were just concerns about the dangers related to all
his travel.
The main temple of
Salus was on the Quirinal
Hill near the temple of
Quirinus. Its dedication day was August 5th.
Shawn
