Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 31 26 November 2016
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Antoninus Pius AV Aureus. Rome, AD 145. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS IIII, laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder / LIB IIII, Antoninus Pius, togate, seated to left on curule chair on dais, extending right hand and holding roll in left; before him on the platform, Liberalitas standing left holding abacus and cornucopiae; on ground before platform, citizen standing right, holding out fold of toga to receive coins. Calicó 1572; Strack 149; BMC 546; Cohen 496; RIC 141. 7.28g, 18mm, 7h.
Near Extremely Fine.
The reverse of this attractive and historical type depicts Antoninus Pius presiding at his fourth liberalitas or largesse, on which occasion the emperor doled out sums of money to worthy citizens. The Ostian Fasti record that this gift to the Roman people was of 90 denarii per citizen, and that it took place in the spring of AD 145, soon after the wedding of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior. The Historia Augusta records that Antoninus' celebrations of his daughter and adopted son's wedding included a donative to the army, and although it does not specifically mention the emperor's fourth liberalitas, this happy event was no doubt also the motivation for his generosity to the citizens.
Near Extremely Fine.
The reverse of this attractive and historical type depicts Antoninus Pius presiding at his fourth liberalitas or largesse, on which occasion the emperor doled out sums of money to worthy citizens. The Ostian Fasti record that this gift to the Roman people was of 90 denarii per citizen, and that it took place in the spring of AD 145, soon after the wedding of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior. The Historia Augusta records that Antoninus' celebrations of his daughter and adopted son's wedding included a donative to the army, and although it does not specifically mention the emperor's fourth liberalitas, this happy event was no doubt also the motivation for his generosity to the citizens.