CNG 85, Lot: 70. Estimate $1000. Sold for $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 28.54 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 141-143. ANTONINVS AVG PI VS P P TR [P COS III], laureate head right / REX · ARMENIIS DA[TVS], Antoninus Pius standing left, crowning Sohemo to left; S C in exergue. RIC III 619; Banti 322. Near VF, dark brown patina, some surfaces roughness. Rare.

From the R.A. Collection.

With Armenia continuing to act as a buffer for Rome from the Parthian empire, the installation of a new client-king was an important event celebrated on the reverse of this type. As it occurred during the third consulship of Antoninus Pius (AD 140-144), the new Armenian king represented here must be Sohemo (first reign, circa AD 140/44-161).