Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 6.63 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 145-147. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 788. Estimated: $ 2 500

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 4 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 6.63 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 145-147. Laureate and draped bust right / Roma seated left on throne, holding palladium on extended hand and spear; round shield at side of throne. RIC III 147d; Calicó 1657a; BMCRE 558-9; Biaggi 765 var. (bust type); Mazzini 934 and 937 var. (bust type). Toned with some luster, light scuff, a couple of light scratches. Good VF. Rare.

Antoninus Pius and his successor, Marcus Aurelius, ruled over one of the most prosperous epochs in the history of the Roman Empire. And yet it was Hadrian, for all of his controversy, who made this historic succession possible. Childless and with his health declining in AD 136, Hadrian sought to secure the peaceful continuity of power (as well as his legacy) by adopting an heir. His short-lived choice as Caesar was the consul Lucius Ceionius Commodus, the father of Marcus Aurelius’ eventual co-emperor, Lucius Verus. After the consul’s death from illness in AD 138, Hadrian chose Antoninus, by that time a capable and experienced administrator and public servant, on the condition that he adopt Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his future heirs.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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