Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XII 29 September 2016
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Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius AV Aureus. Rome, AD 140. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / AVRELIVS CAE•SAR AVG P II F COS, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust left. RIC III 417e; Strack 115δ; Calicó 1728 = Biaggi 797 (same dies); BMCRE 154 (same dies). 7.17g, 20mm, 12h.
Good Extremely Fine. Lustrous; two finely detailed portraits of handsome style. Very Rare.
Ex Jacquier 24, 1 January 2000, lot 276.
Antoninus Pius was adopted as Hadrian's successor in 138, following the death of his first adopted son Lucius Aelius. In order to gain Hadrian's favour, Antoninus had agreed to adopt Aelius' son, Lucius Verus, as well as Marcus Aurelius, who was betrothed to Aelius' daughter Ceionia Fabia. This acceptance of pre-determined successors was representative of Antoninus' role as a surrogate emperor and the guardian of Hadrian's adoptive line.
Despite adopting Hadrian's chosen successors, Antoninus was able to claim Marcus Aurelius as his own chosen heir. As the nephew of the Emperor's wife Faustina, Marcus Aurelius was already a distant relative. Following Hadrian's death, Antontinus convinced Aurelius to amend his marriage arrangements by annulling his betrothal to Ceionia Fabia and instead agreeing to marry the Emperor's daughter Faustina. Aurelius was advanced in successive stages to near equality with Antoninus; he was granted the title of Caesar in 139 and become consul the following year, while Verus was almost neglected.
This coin was most probably struck to commemorate the consulship of Marcus Aurelius in 140, and emphasise his legitimacy as the successor to the Emperor. The attempt to strengthen Aurelius' claim to the Imperial throne over that of Verus was effective, for the Senate sought to make Aurelius sole emperor upon Antoninus' death. It was only on the insistence of Aurelius that the Senate was to accept his adoptive brother Verus as joint ruler.
Good Extremely Fine. Lustrous; two finely detailed portraits of handsome style. Very Rare.
Ex Jacquier 24, 1 January 2000, lot 276.
Antoninus Pius was adopted as Hadrian's successor in 138, following the death of his first adopted son Lucius Aelius. In order to gain Hadrian's favour, Antoninus had agreed to adopt Aelius' son, Lucius Verus, as well as Marcus Aurelius, who was betrothed to Aelius' daughter Ceionia Fabia. This acceptance of pre-determined successors was representative of Antoninus' role as a surrogate emperor and the guardian of Hadrian's adoptive line.
Despite adopting Hadrian's chosen successors, Antoninus was able to claim Marcus Aurelius as his own chosen heir. As the nephew of the Emperor's wife Faustina, Marcus Aurelius was already a distant relative. Following Hadrian's death, Antontinus convinced Aurelius to amend his marriage arrangements by annulling his betrothal to Ceionia Fabia and instead agreeing to marry the Emperor's daughter Faustina. Aurelius was advanced in successive stages to near equality with Antoninus; he was granted the title of Caesar in 139 and become consul the following year, while Verus was almost neglected.
This coin was most probably struck to commemorate the consulship of Marcus Aurelius in 140, and emphasise his legitimacy as the successor to the Emperor. The attempt to strengthen Aurelius' claim to the Imperial throne over that of Verus was effective, for the Senate sought to make Aurelius sole emperor upon Antoninus' death. It was only on the insistence of Aurelius that the Senate was to accept his adoptive brother Verus as joint ruler.