Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (31.5mm, 23.90 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 139. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right / ALEXANDRIA, COS II/ S C in two lines across field, Alexandria, draped, wearing lotus on head, standing left, holding crown on extended right hand and ibis in left. RIC III 577; Strack 775δ; Banti 15 (same rev. die as illustration); BMCRE 1181 (same rev. die). Brown patina with brassy highlights, even light roughness. Good VF. Rare.
From the William H. Whetstone Collection.
The provincial coin issues of Antoninus Pius begin early in his reign, circa AD 139, and represent something of a continuation from the similar series of his predecessor, Hadrian. Unlike Hadrian, Antoninus never left Italy over the 24 years of his reign and never saw the vast majority of the provinces depicted, although he did serve as governor of Asia during his senatorial career. Unlike Hadrian's series, where the provinces are usually shown in a submissive pose, those of Antoninus Pius are often depicted presenting a crown – reflecting the tradition of each provincial government sending to Rome a weighty gold crown upon a new emperor's accession. The provincial sestertii of Antoninus are, as a rule, quite rare and difficult to acquire in pleasing grades.
From the William H. Whetstone Collection.
The provincial coin issues of Antoninus Pius begin early in his reign, circa AD 139, and represent something of a continuation from the similar series of his predecessor, Hadrian. Unlike Hadrian, Antoninus never left Italy over the 24 years of his reign and never saw the vast majority of the provinces depicted, although he did serve as governor of Asia during his senatorial career. Unlike Hadrian's series, where the provinces are usually shown in a submissive pose, those of Antoninus Pius are often depicted presenting a crown – reflecting the tradition of each provincial government sending to Rome a weighty gold crown upon a new emperor's accession. The provincial sestertii of Antoninus are, as a rule, quite rare and difficult to acquire in pleasing grades.