Watch List notes:

Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 31 mm, 24.61 g, 12 h), Rome, 145-161. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS IIII Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. LIBERALITAS AVG V / S C Antoninus Pius seated on platform to left with, to left, Liberalitas standing left holding abacus in right hand and cornucopiae in left; below left, togate citizen standing right with upraised hands. BMC 1694. Cohen 511. RIC 775. Dark brown patina. Light surface marks, otherwise, good very fine.


The reverse shows a donative scene, with the emperor giving alms to the citizens. These events had both a ritual and theatrical character - the figure of Liberalitas who stands next to the emperor is not a statue but an actual woman, dressed in the robes of the 'goddess'.