Ancient Rome (Imperial) 155 ~ 156 AD Antoninus Pius Gold Aureus Victory RIC 255a good VF
We Last Sold This Item For: | $6,800.00 |
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Last Sold On: | 2/12/2022 |
# Sold In Past 12 Months: | 0 |
Ancient Rome (Imperial) 155 ~ 156 AD Antoninus Pius Gold Aureus Victory RIC 255a good VF
Ruler: Antoninus Pius
Obverse: Head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, right
Obverse Legend: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II
Reverse: Victory, winged, draped, advancing left holding wreath in extended right hand and palm at shoulder in left
Reverse Legend: TR POT XIX COS IIII
Reference Numbers: RIC 255a
Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 7.01g; Metal: Gold
Condition: good VF
Antoninus Pius was the 4th Emperor in Rome's Golden Age.
Antoninus Pius was the fourth of the five Roman Emperors that the historian Edward Gibbon described as “the Five Good Emperors”, he came to the throne at the age of 51.
His reign is notable for the peaceful state of the Empire – there were no major revolts or military incursions during this time, and he governed without ever leaving Italy. No foreign wars of rapacious conquest or punitive justice were waged against Rome’s neighbours during the 23 years of his reign.
Antoninus Pius was an effective administrator, he left his successors a large surplus in the treasury, expanded free access to drinking water throughout the Empire, encouraged legal conformity, and facilitated the enfranchisement of freed slaves.
Antoninus Pius died of illness in 161 AD and was succeeded by his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as co-emperors.
The choice of Victory as a reverse type for Antoninus Pius is an interesting one - the only military conflicts of his reign were in Mauretania; Judea and Britannia - each of those were rather minor. Victory is seen holding a small wreath and a palm frond, just who they are being awarded to and for what is an intriguing question.
As the images here show, this particular gold aureus retains strong detail right across both sides. The surfaces are original, and there is much lustre evident all over.
It is a wonderful relic of one of Rome's greatest emperors.
SKU: 210469
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