Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3041 Sess. 4 13 August 2015
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Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (20mm, 6.93 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 155-156. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II, laureate head of Antoninus right / TR POT XIX COS IIII, Antoninus standing left, togate, holding globe in right hand, scroll in left. RIC 256. BMCRE 864. Cohen 995. Calicó 1673 (S4). Minor earthen deposits, otherwise crisply struck on a round flan from fresh dies, with considerable luster. NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style.Unlike the restless Hadrian, Antoninus Pius never left Italy and was content to rule from Rome. Stability and equanimity were his watchwords, and his policies kept the Empire on an even keel for 24 years. He put no one to death, friend or foe. Only minor flare-ups in northern Britain and north Africa disturbed the general peace. The frontiers were maintained and defended, with his decision to build a new wall in Britain 80 miles north of the Hadrian's Wall the only instance of imperial expansion. He carefully groomed Marcus Aurelius as his successor, but neglected to provide him any military training. In fact the mild, civilian character of his reign may have unwittingly allowed storm clouds to gather and strengthen both within and beyond the frontiers. Nevertheless, later generations viewed Antoninus as the perfect emperor, and the tranquility of his reign took on the sheen of a lost golden age.
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD
Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (20mm, 6.93 gm, 6h). Rome, AD 155-156. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II, laureate head of Antoninus right / TR POT XIX COS IIII, Antoninus standing left, togate, holding globe in right hand, scroll in left. RIC 256. BMCRE 864. Cohen 995. Calicó 1673 (S4). Minor earthen deposits, otherwise crisply struck on a round flan from fresh dies, with considerable luster. NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style.Unlike the restless Hadrian, Antoninus Pius never left Italy and was content to rule from Rome. Stability and equanimity were his watchwords, and his policies kept the Empire on an even keel for 24 years. He put no one to death, friend or foe. Only minor flare-ups in northern Britain and north Africa disturbed the general peace. The frontiers were maintained and defended, with his decision to build a new wall in Britain 80 miles north of the Hadrian's Wall the only instance of imperial expansion. He carefully groomed Marcus Aurelius as his successor, but neglected to provide him any military training. In fact the mild, civilian character of his reign may have unwittingly allowed storm clouds to gather and strengthen both within and beyond the frontiers. Nevertheless, later generations viewed Antoninus as the perfect emperor, and the tranquility of his reign took on the sheen of a lost golden age.
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD