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NYINC Signature Sale 3081 12-13 Jan 2020
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Ancients
Divus Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (20mm, 7.31 gm, 5h). NGC AU★ 5/5 - 5/5. Rome, AD 161-162. DIVVS ANTONINVS, bare head of Divus Antoninus Pius right / CONSE-CRATIO, four tiered ustrinum (or pyre) - the lowest most of which represents a plain draped podium with three small festoons. The next tier forms the sepulchral chamber for the reception of the dead body. In the center is a pair of paneled folding doors, flanked by two niches on each side with statues and surmounted by a cornice. The tier above has three arched niches with statues and a cornice represented by beads; and the upper forms a lofty plain attic with hanging drapery in front. A lit torch flanks each end of the upper tier, which forms a pedestal surmounted by the quadriga of the deceased. All the tiers diminish in width from the base upwards so as to assume a pyramidal form. RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 435. Calicó 1491.
Ex Heritage Auction 3048 (ANA, 11 August 2016), lot 32102.
The death of Antoninus Pius in March, AD 161, after a tranquil reign of nearly 24 years, prompted this immediate deification and the largest commemorative coinage yet seen for any Roman ruler. This superb aureus falls within this series, depicting the magnificent funeral pyre upon which a wax effigy of Antoninus driving a triumphal quadriga was placed. At the conclusion of services, the pyre was set alight and an eagle released from the interior, symbolizing the emperor's soul ascending to the heavens. Later generations viewed Antoninus as the perfect emperor, and the tranquility of his reign took on the sheen of a lost golden age.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-divus-antoninus-pius-ad-138-161-av-aureus-20mm-731-gm-5h-ngc-auand-9733-5-5-5-5/a/3081-32064.s?type=CoinArchives3081
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 5000-6000 USD
Divus Antoninus Pius (AD 138-161). AV aureus (20mm, 7.31 gm, 5h). NGC AU★ 5/5 - 5/5. Rome, AD 161-162. DIVVS ANTONINVS, bare head of Divus Antoninus Pius right / CONSE-CRATIO, four tiered ustrinum (or pyre) - the lowest most of which represents a plain draped podium with three small festoons. The next tier forms the sepulchral chamber for the reception of the dead body. In the center is a pair of paneled folding doors, flanked by two niches on each side with statues and surmounted by a cornice. The tier above has three arched niches with statues and a cornice represented by beads; and the upper forms a lofty plain attic with hanging drapery in front. A lit torch flanks each end of the upper tier, which forms a pedestal surmounted by the quadriga of the deceased. All the tiers diminish in width from the base upwards so as to assume a pyramidal form. RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 435. Calicó 1491.
Ex Heritage Auction 3048 (ANA, 11 August 2016), lot 32102.
The death of Antoninus Pius in March, AD 161, after a tranquil reign of nearly 24 years, prompted this immediate deification and the largest commemorative coinage yet seen for any Roman ruler. This superb aureus falls within this series, depicting the magnificent funeral pyre upon which a wax effigy of Antoninus driving a triumphal quadriga was placed. At the conclusion of services, the pyre was set alight and an eagle released from the interior, symbolizing the emperor's soul ascending to the heavens. Later generations viewed Antoninus as the perfect emperor, and the tranquility of his reign took on the sheen of a lost golden age.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-divus-antoninus-pius-ad-138-161-av-aureus-20mm-731-gm-5h-ngc-auand-9733-5-5-5-5/a/3081-32064.s?type=CoinArchives3081
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 5000-6000 USD