Scarce but heavily worn Sestertius....

I decided to post this somewhat scarce, heavily worn and large bronze for discussion---obviously not for 'admiration' LOL. It caught my eye due to the 'unusual' reverse and because it was listed as a 32 mm sestertius of Antoninus Pius. The seller's estimate seemed more than a bit inflated at $125.00 and I initially valued it at about $20-$50 shipped and I later increased that to $50-$75 due to the scarce reverse (and size). Of course higher grades of this popular/trendy type can be a bit pricey. And what better place to 'talk' about a coin than Coin Talk

Please feel free to post any coin you feel is relevant and don't hesitate to offer your comments or opinions. BTW: I purchased this coin for a hammer price of $65.00

Sestertius of Antoninus Pius, Rome Mint Circa 142-144 AD
RIC III, 24.56 grams, 32 mm
ANTONINVS PIVS PP TRP COS III
Laureate head right
VICTORIA AVG SC

The reverse celebrates Q. Lollius Urbicus' victory in Britain over the Brigands in 142 AD

 

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Worn but the history is just oozing off of it.

 

The sestertius is very old. We collecting ancient - old coins. It has historical importancy. It is very atractive coin.

 

Lovely coin. I think you'll find many admirers of that piece here, condition isn't everything!

A nice companion book to go along with it - The Roman's in Scotland by Gordon S. Maxwell. It gives a good overall view of what was going in Northern Britain and Southern Scotland during the 1st and 2nd Centuries AD. Urbicus is mentioned on page 32.

 

Certainly an attractive reverse type, and although it's worn, it's still there and didn't cost you a fortune. You will remember the attractiveness and forget wear and $$

Good catch
Q

 

Very true, that coin is almost 2000 years old. I have some coins in my pocket, that were struck in 2014/15....yours is in better condition, and way more appealing to the eye. Not too many people on this earth have a coin from Antonnius Pius, me included!

 

Thanks for the comments guys!!!

.... and thanks @vespasian70 for the book referral...@Alegandron also provided me with a couple that I will take out from the Library tomorrow!! BTW 'V', I won one of the Vespasian denarii I bid on with a couple still pending...I'll post them when the 'dust' settles

 

Awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing them.

 

I like this coin for multiple reasons. First, who doesn't love a big, 32-mm coin? Second, Antoninus Pius conducted no major military campaigns, so a military commemorative is especially cool. And, finally, the reverse reminds me of the rather common quadriga reverse on republican coins.

All in all a nice specimen, even if it isn't the prettiest to look at.

 

What a great coin, I would have it in a heartbeat.

 

i'll post my relatively large rare coin, it's UGLY...so should make your coin feel much better about itself.


Caracalla, Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, 198-217 AD

Obverse: AVT M APHΛI ANTΩNEINOC, Laureate draped cuirassed bust right Reverse: V I ΦAVCTINIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛI / TΩN, Tyche standing facing, head left, holding rudder and cornucopia 29 mm 11.0 g Julius Faustinianus, consular legate

it was 4 bucks.

 

Yea, pretty worn but very rare and I think the sellers estimate was right on target. On the low side I have seen heavily tooled and smoothed examples sell around $250, nicer ones for $2,000. I imagine if you got it under the estimate you got a rare bargain.

 

That's a great buy for $4 or even $10-$20 IMHO @chrsmat71

That's what appealed to me so much, especially since I was under the impression no military campaigns at all occurred during the 'peaceful' reign of Antoninus....except the usual civil disturbances of 'forced' and disgruntled Empire participants...

I can't but wonder if anyone has a higher grade example of this sestertius???

 

@Ken Dorney----All I can say is WOW!!!!

 

Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161
AE, As, 27mm, 9.3g; 2h; Rome, AD 148-149
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII; Laureate head right, aegis on left shoulder
Rev.: MVNIFICENTIA AVG; elephant walking right with trunk raised
In Ex.: COS IIII SC

My only A.P. It's a good size but no sestertius.

 

I have one AP Sestertius:

ANTONIUS PIUS
AE Sestertius
OBVERSE: IDIVVS ANTONINVS, bare head right
REVERSE: CONSECRATIO, four tiered funeral pyre surmounted by Antoninus in a quadriga, SC in ex.
Struck at Rome 161 AD
25g, 31mm
RIC 1266 (Marcus Aurelius), BMC 880 (Marcus Aurelius), C 354

 

Nice score, Mikey. Who doesn't love an A-Pi big bronze? And yours has the added interest of its rarity and historical background. I'd be happy with that one at that price.

 

Mine is reasonably big, but not so interesting


Antoninus Pius
Coin: Bronze Sestertius
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II - Laureate head right
TR POT XIX COS IIII S-C - Fides standing left holding two standards
Mint: Unsure (156-157 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 22.39g / 32-34mm / -
References:

• RIC III 943a
• Cohen 988
• sear5 #4248

 

Its a great coin! Heres a few of mine

Antoninus Pius, August 138 - 7 March 161 A.D.
Orichalcum sestertius, RIC III 767a, Cohen II 320, Banti 120, BMCRE IV 1669, Strack III 974, SRCV II 4168, aF, 23.252g, 31.4mm, 0o, Rome mint, 145 - 147 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P, laureate head right; reverse Antoninus in slow quadriga left, eagle-tipped scepter in left, reins in right, COS IIII / S C in two lines in exergue; scarce




Antoninus Pius AE Sestertius. 142 AD. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head right / CONCORDIA EX-ERCITVVM S-C, Concordia standing left, holding Victory & and legionary standard. Cohen 139. RIC 600, Cohen 139, BMC 1232




AE As.
ANTONINVS AVG - PIVS P P TR P XXII, Laureate head right, COS - IIII, Togate figure standing left on pedestal in arched shrine, S C in ex

 

Love the posts guys!! Keep'em coming!!