ROMAN EMPIRE: Antoninus Pius, 138-161 AD, AE 26, Aelia Capitolina, Meshorer, Aelia Capitolina 10-11, IMP C HAD ANT A P, bare headed bust of Antoninus Pius wearing cuirass and paludamentum, right // CO AE CAP, temple with six columns and rounded pediment enclosing statue of turreted Fortuna/Tyche-Astarte standing with foot on uncertain object, left, holding human bust and long sceptre, with all As in the legends shaped as Λs, Fine, RRR.

Aelia Capitolina (COLONIA AELIA CAPITOLINA) was a Roman colony, built under the emperor Hadrian on the site of Jerusalem, which was in ruins following the siege of 70 AD, leading in part to the Bar Kokhba revolt of 132-136 AD. Aelia Capitolina remained the official name of Jerusalem until 638 AD, when the Arabs conquered the city and kept the first part of that name as Iliya. From an old Collection, purchased by the collector in the 1960s with his tag.

Estimate: 500-700 USD