Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P XII; Laureate Bust of the
Emperor Facing Right
Reverse: COS IIII/S C; Aequitas Standing Towards the Left,
Holding Scales and Cornucopiae
Antoninus Pius is regarded as one of the "Five Good Emperors"
in Roman history. He was born in 86 AD. Around 133-136, he
served in Asia as proconsul, and there he earned the respect of
Emperor Hadrian. After Hadrian's return from the Jewish war,
Antoninus was made a member of his council not only on
grounds of friendships and family connection, but also because
of his experience as a jurist and administrator. After the
sudden death of Lucius Aelius Caesar, Antoninus was officially
adopted by Hadrian on February 25, 138 as successor to the
throne. After administering the imperial offices, Hadrian died
and Antoninus became emperor. Antoninus married Faustina
and they had four children: two sons and two daughters.
However, only one daughter was alive at the time of his
adoption by Hadrian. Later, he adopted Marcus Aurelius, who
was to be the successor to his throne. In 139, he gave to
Marcus the name of Caesar and made him consul designate. In
146, Aurelius was recognized as Antoninus's colleague in rule,
and the hopes of Rome and the fortunes of the dynasty rested
upon him. Antoninus managed to govern the empire capably
and yet with such a gentle hand that he earned the respect,
acclaim, and love of his subjects.
How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse?
What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into
our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some
change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched
the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it
leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the
state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether
contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten
empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of
craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often
lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is
a memorial to an ancient emperor passed from the hands of
civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that
appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck.
- (C.4045)
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