Greetings Ancient CoinTalkers, This past Christmas as a gift I received this awesome Antoninus Pius denarius! After doing some research I have discovered that this is actually a rather rare reverse design with only two other examples on WildWinds. This coin is attributed as a RIC 70. Please share your Antoninus Pius ancients as well! -Mike
I agree => that coin absolutely rocks!! ... sadly, although I own a bunch o' AE Drachms/Sestertii, I don't own a denarius => it is very eye-appealing (the Genius looks very cool ... I give it full-points)
First is an early issue while Pius was negotiating with the Senate over the deification of Hadrian. During this time he refused the title Augustus. Reverse Diana When he did take the title, it first appeared on the reverse and was followed by his other new title Pius. Reverse Aequitas At the other end of the reign came his deification issue unusual in the nomenative Divus on the obverse and the dative DIVO PIO on the reverse. A favorite from mid reign is the adoption issue for Marcus Aurelius. Notice all four of my coins have a bare head portrait. Pius issued many coins with laureate heads but I did not happen to show any so I'll tack on one that shares a theme with the OP coin. Instead of the rare Genius Pop Romani I'll offer Genio Senatus honoring his relations with the Senate. Pius was a strong ruler but managed to do his business without the strongarm methods of some of the other Emperors.
Very nice denarius CoinMike, quite an appealing reverse. Here is a nice (and unusually thick) sestertius of Antonius Pius and a Consecratio denarius.
Those are all awesome. Caesar's are my favorite. I own one from around the date of 42 BC. Wildwings says there are two other examples.
Antoninus Pius Æ Orichalcum Sestertius. 24.2g, 34mm OBV: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII, Laureate head right. REV: LIBERTAS COS IIII S C, Libertas standing left holding purse and extending hand. REF: Cohen 543. RIC III 929
Very nice CM. I own one Denarius of AP OBV: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II, laureate head right REV: TR POT XIX COS IIII, Annona standing left with corn ears & modius set on prow Rome mint, 155-6 AD 3.1g, 17mm RIC 249
