Unique Pius Denarius with Grain Ear and Poppy Wreath

Triton XVIII, Lot: 1099. Estimate $500. Sold for $7000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 140-144. ANTONINVS AVG PI VS P P TR POT COS III, bust right, wearing wreath consisting of grain ears and poppies, slight drapery on left shoulder / AEQVIT AS AVG, Aequitas standing left, holding scales in outstretched right hand and scepter in left. Cf. Heritage New York Signature Sale 3004 (4 January 2009), lot 20080 = Heritage 3002 (18 September 2008), lot 20091 (for sestertius with grain ear and poppy wreath, but fully draped bust); otherwise unpublished for a denarius. EF, attractively toned, a couple of minor flan splits. Unique.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 75 (15 October 2003), lot 139 (part of).

While the use of a grain ear wreath is known on other very rare imperial issues, most notably those of Gallienus accompanied by the legend GALLIENAE AVGVSTAE, as well as an extremely rare sestertius of Hadrian (NAC 72, lot 641), to date, for Antoninus Pius it occurs only on this denarius and the Heritage sestertius. The use of the grain ear wreath may be explained by imperial participation in the mysteries of Demeter at Eleusis – an event that is well-attested for Hadrian (and possibly Marcus Aurelius). While Antoninus Pius is known to have patronized the sanctuary and provided funding for its upkeep, he is not recorded as having participated in the mysteries, although these coins now suggest that he did.