Imperial Romulus

CNG 84, Lot: 1036. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 26.60 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 141-143. Laureate head right / Romulus advancing right, holding spear and trophy over shoulder. RIC III 624; Banti 337 (this coin). Good VF, mottled dark brown and dark olive-green patina, light smoothing in fields.

From the John Bitner Collection. Ex Michael Weller Collection (Triton VIII, 11 January 2005), lot 1021; Leo Benz Collection (Lanz 94, 122 November 1999), lot 549; Monetarium List 40 (Fall 1983), lot 125; Numismatic Fine Arts XII (23 March 1983), lot 273; M. L. Collection (J. Vinchon, 23 April 1976), lot 81.

The presence of Romulus on the reverse of this type can be seen to have both past and future iconographical significance at the time when it was utilized. Since he was required to use the Roman military in actions abroad for the well-being of the empire, the likening to Romulus is apparent. As the 900th anniversary of the founding of the city lay only 17 years away, however, a similar reference to one of Rome’s legendary founders also seems appropriate.