Description
Antoninus Pius, Roman Emperor of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty 138-161 AD, Gold Aureus (7.17g, 19mm), Rome mint 154-155 AD. Obverse: Laureate head of Antoninus Pius facing to the right, legend surrounds, “ΛNTONINVS ΛVG PIVS PP TR P XVIII”. Reverse: Full figure of Antoninus Pius facing forward, head turned to the left, togate and holding globe in outstretched right hand and papyrus scroll in left, legend surrounds, “COS IIII”. As Sear-4003 but ‘XVIII’; RIC-241; BMC-835; Cohen-316. An impressive and bold aureus of Antoninus Pius, wholly radiant with attractive, lustrous surfaces and sharply struck devices; the remarkable eye appeal only further bolstered by the powerfully understated portrait type as well as the simple reverse design, Extremely Fine or better.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “Antoninus Augustus Pius, Pater Patriae, Tribūnīciā Potestās Octāvum Decimum”, with an English translation of “Antoninus Pius, Augustus, Father of the Nation, holder of Tribunician Power for the Eighteenth time”. The Reverse Latin legend continues from the obverse and reads “Cōnsulāritās quārtum”, with an English translation of “honoured with the Office of Consul in his fourth Term”.
