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

Obv: IMP T AEL CAES HADRI ANTONINVS.
Bare head right.
Rev: AVG PIVS P M TR P COS DES II.
Diana standing right, holding bow and arrow.

RIC 7.

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: Very fine.

Weight: 3.37 g.
Diameter: 19 mm.

Estimate: € 50.