Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 23.37 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 141-143.

Electronic Auction 500
Lot: 765. Estimated: $ 300

Roman Imperial, Bronze

Sold For $ 850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Sestertius (33mm, 23.37 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 141-143. Laureate head right / REX ARMENIIS DATVS, Antoninus Pius standing left, holding volumen, crowning Sohemo as king of Armenia to left. RIC III 619; Banti 322. Brown patina, obverse corrosion and smoothing. Good VF.

From the William H. Whetstone Collection.

With Armenia continuing to act as a buffer for Rome from the Parthian empire, the installation of a new client-king was an important event celebrated on the reverse of this type. As it occurred during the third consulship of Antoninus Pius (AD 140-144), the new Armenian king represented here must be Sohemo (first reign, circa AD 140/44-161). Here he is shown much smaller than Antoninus, resembling a child.

Closing Date and Time: 22 September 2021 at 14:14:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.