Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 29.74 g, 5h). “Crown series” of the Provinces. Rome mint. Struck AD 139. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 575
Lot: 579.
Closing Date: Nov 20 2024 10:00 ET

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Estimate: $ 100

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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 29.74 g, 5h). “Crown series” of the Provinces. Rome mint. Struck AD 139. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right / COS I I around, S C across field, [SYRIA] in exergue, Syria, towered and draped, standing left, holding crown on extended right hand and cornucopia in left; at feet to left, Orontes swimming left. RIC III 590 note; Banti 403; BMCRE 1199, pl. 27, 6 (same rev. die). Green-brown patina, minor smoothing. Near VF. Rare.

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 13:12:40 ET.

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