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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Terence Cheesman, post: 7326899, member: 86498&quot;]Antoninus Pius Ae sestertius Rome 142 AD Obv. Head right laureate&nbsp; Rv. Winged thunderbolt. RIC 618 23.63 grms 30 mm photo by W. Hansen[ATTACH=full]1280298[/ATTACH]This coin marks a fundamental shift in the iconography of Roman numismatic propaganda, this particular one started by Hadrian. Prior to this Roman emperors usually depicted themselves as aggressive military commanders. Hadrian did away with this approach suggesting that it was the will of the gods PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM that made him emperor. With this sestertius Pius is making the same claim. However rather than showing a god or his familiar&nbsp; presenting him with a scepter, Pius used the symbol of the god Jupiter the thunderbolt to show the ultimate source of his right to rule. This symbology remained throughout the second century AD and was replaced by with more military themes early in the third.</p><p>&nbsp; On a personal note. Another recent post discussed the &quot;value&quot; of seeking out and purchasing unsold lots. In 2005 this coin was an unsold lot. I bought it and have enjoyed it ever since.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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