Beginning with the reign of Nerva, it became standard for the emperor to adopt and name a successor well before his death, so as to assure a nonviolent transition of power and generally maintain the security of the empire. Hadrian was no exception; he adopted Lucius Aelius and named him Caesar, bestowing upon him tribunician power that same year, as well as a second consulship, both of which are noted on the reverse legend of this denarius. The personification of Concordia on the reverse indicates the harmonious relationship between senior and junior emperor, again emphasizing Hadrian’s approval of Aelius as his heir of the imperial seat. Unfortunately these hopes would be disappointed, for Aelius would die just months before Hadrian himself in 138 CE. Antoninus Pius would instead take Hadrian’s place that same year. KHK.