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Nemesis
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Hadrian, AR Denarius, Rome mint, A.D.135
Obv: HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P Bare head right
Rev: VICTORIA AVG Nemesis advancing right, holding out branch downward in left hand, pulling out fold of dress with right hand.
RIC.282 BMCRE.757 RSC 1454 Sear RCV II 3547
Nemesis was latterly regarded by the Romans as the avenger of crimes and punisher of wrong-doers. She is usually depicted as winged, like Victory, and has a number of different attributes. On this coin she holds out an olive branch downwards, but on other coins the object she holds can be a winged caduceus. She can be featured with a snake at her feet or a wheel, although the latter object is usually only associated with Eastern mint coins. However, one constant feature that identifies her as Nemesis on coins is that she is always holding out a fold of her dress.
Nemesis features only rarely on Roman coins, mostly during the 1st and 2nd Centuries. Coins of all metals depicting her are mostly found on those of Claudius, Vespasian and Hadrian.
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