Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (19mm, 6.99 gm, 6h). Rome, ca. AD 140-143. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right / LI-BE-RA-LITAS, Antoninus seated left on platform, extending right hand and holding scroll; to left, Liberalitas standing left, holding coin scoop and cornucopia; below, citizen with outstretched hands; AVG III in exergue. RIC 75. Calicó 1562. Scarce. NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.Though famously frugal, Antoninus Pius was not above maintaining his popularity by regular cash disbursements to the Roman populace (congiaria), personified by the goddess Liberalitas, who is shown here helping the emperor to hand out coins to deserving citizens. A congiarium is recorded at the outset of his reign and at least two more occurred in the period AD 140-143, in which this aureus was struck. Tiberius is recorded to have given the first Imperial cash distribution, of 300 sesterces; Nero later upped the amount to 400, an amount which could have been given in the form of four gold aurei or 100 silver denarii.
Estimate: 5000-6000 USD
Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (19mm, 6.99 gm, 6h). Rome, ca. AD 140-143. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right / LI-BE-RA-LITAS, Antoninus seated left on platform, extending right hand and holding scroll; to left, Liberalitas standing left, holding coin scoop and cornucopia; below, citizen with outstretched hands; AVG III in exergue. RIC 75. Calicó 1562. Scarce. NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.Though famously frugal, Antoninus Pius was not above maintaining his popularity by regular cash disbursements to the Roman populace (congiaria), personified by the goddess Liberalitas, who is shown here helping the emperor to hand out coins to deserving citizens. A congiarium is recorded at the outset of his reign and at least two more occurred in the period AD 140-143, in which this aureus was struck. Tiberius is recorded to have given the first Imperial cash distribution, of 300 sesterces; Nero later upped the amount to 400, an amount which could have been given in the form of four gold aurei or 100 silver denarii.
Estimate: 5000-6000 USD