Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 121 6-8 Oct 2022
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EGYPT, Antinoöpolis. 2nd-3rd centuries AD. PB Tessera (22mm, 4.22 g, 12h). Dated year 2 of Antoninus Pius (?) (AD 138/9). Draped bust on Antinoüs right, wearing hem-hem crown; L B across fields / Nike advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling palm in left arm. Wilding 2 var. (no letters to left of bust); Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 11655; Milne –; CNG E-353, lot 362. Gray-brown patina, light roughness. VF. Very rare.
From the D.K. Collection.
Denise Wilding provides the first comprehensive examination of the lead tokens of Antinoüs, cataloging a number of otherwise unpublished types. Noting that they appear most often with the years 2, 4, 6, and 8, she suggests that the pieces were a continuation of the bronze coinage in the name of Antinoüs issued under Hadrian in years 19 and 21, with the lead pieces bearing regnal dates of Antoninus Pius. The tokens were likely issued in connection with biennial festivities of the cult of Antinoüs. For more information, see: Wilding, Denise. "Tokens of Antinous from the Province of Roman Egypt," in Tokens: Culture, Connections, Communities. (London: Royal Numismatic Society, 2019).
From the D.K. Collection.
Denise Wilding provides the first comprehensive examination of the lead tokens of Antinoüs, cataloging a number of otherwise unpublished types. Noting that they appear most often with the years 2, 4, 6, and 8, she suggests that the pieces were a continuation of the bronze coinage in the name of Antinoüs issued under Hadrian in years 19 and 21, with the lead pieces bearing regnal dates of Antoninus Pius. The tokens were likely issued in connection with biennial festivities of the cult of Antinoüs. For more information, see: Wilding, Denise. "Tokens of Antinous from the Province of Roman Egypt," in Tokens: Culture, Connections, Communities. (London: Royal Numismatic Society, 2019).