A New Uranius Antoninus Variety

CNG 87, Lot: 882. Estimate $3000. Sold for $7750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Uranius Antoninus. Usurper, AD 253-254. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 11.83 g, 6h). AYTO K COYΛΠ ANTωNINOC, radiate and cuirassed bust right / ΔHMAPX ЄΞOYCIAC YΠATO, eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; B (consular date) S C. Unpublished. Good VF, toned. Extremely rare. A new variety.

Uranius Antoninus is unknown from the ancient literary sources, although Zosimus perhaps confuses this usurper with two usurpers he names as Uranius and Antoninus during the reign of Severus Alexander. He established his government at Emesa, probably in response to repeated Persian attacks rather than as a challenge to Rome. In any event, it appears he was finally subdued when Valerian marched to recover the East.