Nomos 23

Antoninus Pius, as Caesar, 28 February - 11 July, 138. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.27 g, 5 h), struck under Hadrian, Rome. IMP T AEL CAES ANTONINVS Bare head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. TRIB POT CO-S / PIE-TAS Pietas, veiled, standing right, holding box of incense over altar. BMC 1017a. Calicó 1596 (same dies). Cohen 597. RIC 454a. Rare, and with an exceptionally fine portrait, engraved in the best late Hadrianic style and struck in high relief. Virtually as struck.

Sold on behalf of the Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique, Switzerland, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 33, 5 April 2006, 494.

What is exciting about this coin is that it shows us Antoninus Pius as Caesar, not Emperor, which means it was struck during the four month period of his caesarship, after being appointed following Aelius’ death and the death of Hadrian. The portrait is simply outstanding in every way, showing us a man of power, integrity and nobility. The reverse, with a figure of Pietas, suggests the reverence with which Antoninus had taken on his role, and hints at his future assumption of the epithet Pius (in part for his refusal to condemn any of Hadrian’s opponents).