Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. 1596. A N T O N I N U S PIUS. 138-161 AD. JE Sestertius (21.40 gm). Struck 149 AD. Laureate head right / Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae. RIC III 855; BMCRE 1824; Cohen 232. Good VF, brown patina, light smoothing. ($300) From the Collection of Philip DeVicci.
T h e ״G o l d e n A g e ״of Pius
1592. A N T O N I N U S PIUS. 138-161 AD. JE Sestertius (26.37 gm). Struck 140 AD. Laureate head right / Italia seated on globe, holding cornucopiae and sceptre. RIC III 746a; BMCRE 1641; Cohen 464. Good VF, glossy dark brown patina with spots of red encrustation, smoothing in fields. Scarce type. ($600)
1593. A N T O N I N U S PIUS. 138-161 AD. JE Sestertius (24.96 gm). Struck 142 AD. Laureate head right / Pius and Aurelius, togate, seated left on curule chairs set on high platform, below on either side stand hetors, each holding a rod and sceptre. RIC III 627; BMCRE 1292; Cohen 761. Good VF, dark greenish-brown patina, smoothing in fields, some details on reverse lightly strengthened. Rare type. ($1500)
1597. A N T O N I N U S PIUS. 138-161 AD. JE Sestertius (28.76 gm). Struck 149 AD. Laureate head right / TEMPORVM FELICITAS, COS ΠΠ in exergue, S-C across field, crossed cornuacopiae surmounted by busts of two young boys. RIC ΙΠ 857; BMCRE 1827; Cohen 813. Good VF, attractive brown patina with golden high points, well struck showing facial details of the two infants. ($2000)
1594. A N T O N I N U S PIUS. 138-161 AD. TE Sestertius (23.96 gm). Struck 146 AD. Laureate head right / Pius seated left on raised platform, extending right hand, Liberalitas standing before holding abacus and cornucopiae, officer standing behind; citizen standing below holding out fold of toga. RIC ΠΙ774; BMCRE 1688; Cohen 498. VF, glossy brown patina, smoothing on obverse. Scarce. ($300)
Ex Virgil M. Brand Collection, Part 3 (Sotheby's, 9 June 1983), lot 331; Joachim Scheyer Collection (Adolph Hess, 1 December 1913), lot 909. The reverse legend implicitly states the 'golden age' of the emperor Antoninus. In BMCRE, vol. IV, pg. Ixvii, Mattingly notes that this golden age is "marked by abundant increase," and that the children atop the cornuacopiae are the newborn twins of Antoninus and Faustina.
1595. A N T O N I N U S PIUS. 138-161 AD. JE Sestertius (23.31 gm). Struck 148 AD. Laureate head right / Annona standing facing, head left, holding grain-ears over modius and anchor. RIC III 840; BMCRE 1807; Cohen 39. Nice VF, dark green patina, evenly rough surfaces. ($400)
1598. A N T O N I N U S PIUS & MARCUS AURELIUS, as Caesar. 138161 AD. JE Sestertius (28.10 gm). Struck 141 AD. Laureate head of Pius right / Bare head, d r a p e d and cuirassed bust of Aurelius right, seen from behind. RIC III 1212 (Pius); BMCRE 1209 note; Cohen 34. Fine, green patina. ($300) 180