[ancients] Antoninus Pius - Two Aequitas reverses

My two most recent A-Pi purchases coincidentally both have Aequitas reverses. This first one is my first A-Pi dupondius... it's a little rough (actually looking rougher in the photos than in hand) but has a nice chocolate and red color. As a cheap and slightly impulsive purchase at my first coin fair earlier this month, it's perhaps something of a A-Pi dupondius slot-filler but I'm still really pleased with it.


ANTONINUS PIUS
Dupondius
12.05g, 27mm
Rome mint, 148-149 AD
RIC 858; Sear 1281
O: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS TR P XII, radiate head right.
R: COS IIII S-C, Aequitas standing left holding scales & cornucopiae.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

This denarius was picked up about a month before the dupondius. I was initially drawn to the portrait, but once I had it in hand it was really the reverse that grabbed me, specifically the fineness of the detail in Aequitas's clothing, outstretched hand and the scales.

Feel free to post your coins with Aequitas reverses!


ANTONINUS PIUS
Denarius
3.05g, 19mm
Rome mint, 140-143 AD
RIC 127
O: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right.
R: COS IIII, Aequitas standing left, holding scales & sceptre.

 

Both very nice. That denarius is sharp!

 

I second that motion...

 

Pius denarii can be bought in pretty high grade but cheap. They're some of my favorites. I tend to be drawn to the antonine period the most.

Got lots of pius coins but too lazy to find the links to all.

Great coins. I actually like the Bronze more.

 

As much as I like your denarius, I much prefer the dupondius. Both are excellent.

Out of 620 coins, I believe this is the only coin with Aequitas:

CLAUDIUS II (GOTHICUS) Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate head right
REVERSE: AEQVITAS AVG, Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopiae
Struck at Rome, 268-69 AD
3.0g, 20mm
RIC 14

 

This is true... A-Pi is plentiful and quite affordable in decent silver, but in general the bronzes tend to be more interesting to me (and unfortunately much more expensive in the higher grades). Of the 20 or so A-Pi coins I have, just 3 are denarii.

 

It's the headgear, isn't it? Everybody loves the pointy crown.

 

I do like the crown, but I favor the larger bronzes which have seen circulation. I am also drawn to the red coloring in the background. I'm not sure if this is what is called "Syrian Red", but I do like that color on coins.

 

I'm very partial to Antonine period bronzes and really wish those sestertii didn't cost so much. I can't be considered well-read, but I think I've only come across the term "Syrian Red" in your posts. Looking at the coin again, the color in hand is just a tad lighter than in the photo and maybe closer to orange than red.

 

I recall reading something about coins found in certain parts of Syria being coated in a red patina caused by the minerals in the red sand found in Syria. I will have to search to find these articles.

 

The denarius is stunning in its detail. Great find! And the dupondius is FAR too nice a coin to be considered a slot filler. I would be more than happy to own that coin and never concern myself with upgrading it.

 

beautiful coins Z, that silver is super sharp...but i always ike a big ol AE.

i've heard the term "syrian red"...and it popped in my mind when i saw your first coin. i don't know if it's an official term or a real phenomon associated with ther region. here's a coin i have from syria that's red...is it syrian red?

 

Thanks, JA... with A-Pi being my favorite emperor to collect, and this being my first dupondius of his, I'm definitely hoping at some point to own a nicer piece. But this one's definitely nice enough for me to get a lot of mileage out of.

 

Interesting! And now that it's been mentioned twice, I just need for it to be mentioned once more and I'll be out there hunting "Syrian reds"...

 

Her is a good example of a coin I believe has a Syrian red patina:


MAXIMIANUS Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: IOV ET HERCV CONSER AVGG, Jupiter standing right holding sceptre & orb facing Hercules standing left holding Victory & club, S in lower centre, XXI dot in ex.
Struck at Antioch 286-95 AD
4.3g, 22mm
RIC 622
crescent S

 

That Syrian red desert "patina" can be found on quite a few Levantine coins, of various civilizations. There must have been something in the air.

 

double post

 

Hey, Z-dawg ... wow, cool new pick-up => yipppeee, congrats!!

*sigh*

... nope ... I ain't got none, diggity!! (man, igotsta buy mo coins!!)

 

Thanks, Steve, looking forward to your next new pickup!