Antoninus Pius. As Caesar, AD 138. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.00 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Hadrian, AD 138.

Keystone Auction 6 – Session Two
Lot: 2022. Estimated: $ 4 000

Roman Imperial, Gold

Sold For $ 4 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Antoninus Pius. As Caesar, AD 138. AV Aureus (19.5mm, 7.00 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Hadrian, AD 138. IMP T AEL CAES ANTONINVS, bareheaded and draped bust right / TRI POT COS DES II, PIE TAS across field, Pietas, veiled and draped, standing right, holding up right hand and holding acerrum in left; to right, lighted and filleted altar. RIC II.3 2762 (Hadrian); RIC II 454b (Hadrian); Strack 406ζο (Hadrian); Calicó 1597a; BMCRE p. 371, note 1017 (Hadrian). Light reddish tone. VF. Struck in high relief from dies of pleasing style.

Following an abortive attempt at naming an heir who predeceased him (Aelius Caesar), the aging Emperor Hadrian settled on a capable senator and ex consul of Gallic ancestry, T. Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Antoninus, as his intended successor. After a show of reluctance, the 52-year old Antoninus accepted his adoption on February 25, AD 138. Hadrian also impelled the suicides of two kinsmen whom he suspected of having designs on the throne, causing Hadrian's popularity to sink along with his health. Antoninus quickly gathered the reins of power and, when Hadrian died on July 10, his accession was uncontested. However, his formal request for Hadrian's deification was soundly rejected by the Senate. Only by threatening to resign and plunge the empire into chaos did Antoninus force the Senate to grant his request. In grudging respect for his filial loyalty, the Senate granted him the title of Pius, which appears on his coinage from late AD 138.
This aureus, which conspicuously lacks the title of Augustus, was struck during the five-month period of Antoninus' Caesarship under Hadrian

The final winners of all Keystone 6 lots will be determined at the online sale that will be held on 11 March 2022. Session Two will be held Friday afternoon, 11 March 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.