Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 27.72 g, 12h). “Crown series” of the Provinces. Rome mint. Struck AD 139. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 575
Lot: 576.
Closing Date: Nov 20 2024 10:00 ET

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Estimate: $ 300

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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 27.72 g, 12h). “Crown series” of the Provinces. Rome mint. Struck AD 139. [ANT]ONINVS AVG PIVS P P, Laureate bust right, slight drapery / HISPA [NIA] around, S C across field, COS II in exergue, Hispania, towered and draped, standing left, holding up laurel crown (wreath) in right hand and branch in left; at feet to left, rabbit. RIC III 582; Banti 168 var. (bust type); BMCRE 1189, pl. 26, 13 (same rev. die). Brown patina, some minor porosity, traces of deposits. Near VF. Extremely rare. None in CoinArchives.

The Antoninus Pius “crown series” is so called because the attribute held by the province in the right hand is always a crown of some kind, though its shape varies significantly. This series began early in Pius’ reign, circa AD 139, and represented something of a continuation from the similar series of his predecessor, Hadrian. Unlike Hadrian, Antoninus never left Italy over the 24 years of his reign and never saw the vast majority of the provinces depicted, although he did serve as governor of Asia during his senatorial career. The crown series of provinces sestertii of Antoninus are, as a rule, quite rare and difficult to acquire in pleasing grades.

Closing Date and Time: 20 November 2024 at 13:11:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.