Roman Empire, Antoninus Pius, denarius, 138, minted in Rome.
Obv. [IMP T AEL] CAES - ANTONINVS, the emperor’s bare head facing left.
Rev. TRIB POT COS, Diana standing facing right, holding a bow in her raised left hand and an arrow in her right hand.
Silver, 3.04 g, 18.6 mm. RIC II 448b (Hadrian); RIC II.3 2730; RSC 1058a.
Condition III, cabinet patina, very rare
An extremely interesting and sought-after denarius from a very short, several-month-long adoption issue from 138 AD, commemorating the designation of Antoninus Pius as heir to the throne by Emperor Hadrian. The presented piece is an extremely rare variant with the portrait facing left. On most surviving examples, the emperor’s head faces right. A coin of outstanding historical and collectible value, appearing extremely rarely at auctions.
