Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ As (28mm, 9.63 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 148-149. Laureate head right / MVNIFICENTIA AVG, COS IIII/ S C in two lines in exergue, elephant advancing right. RIC III 862a. Dark brown patina, some bare metal at high points, scratches. Near VF.
This interesting copper as is dated by the years of Antoninus' tribunician power (TR P XII) to the 12-month period beginning 10 December 148 AD. The reverse depicts an elephant, clad in some kind of ornamental covering, accompanied by an inscription proclaiming the emperor's liberality (Munificentia Augusti). The reference is to the staging of wild beast shows in the arena of the Amphitheatrum Flavium, better known today as the Colosseum, on the occasion of the celebration of Rome's 900th anniversary in 147/148 AD.