ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). Denarius. Rome.

Obv: IMP CAES AEL ANTONINVS AVG.
Bare head right.
Rev: PONT MAX TR POT COS.
Diana standing right, holding bow and arrow.

RIC 1b.

Rare

One of the earliest issues before Antoninus earned the title 'Pius'. When Hadrian died, Antoninus took his ashes to Rome and demanded an apotheosis for him; but the Senate objected and threatened 'damnatio memoriae' for Hadrian, who had taken away several privileges from senators in his later years. Antoninus, however, partly thanks to the presence of the army, managed to convince the Senate, granted amnesty to those condemned by his predecessor, and graced those who opposed Hadrian's apotheosis. Due to his good nature, he was given the title 'Pius'.

Condition: Extremely fine.

Weight: 3.76 g.
Diameter: 18 mm.