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103
bid online at
www.goldbergcoins.com(800) 978-COIN (2646)
|
2020
Antoninus Pius. Æ As (14.75 g), AD 138-161
. Rome, AD 148/9. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right.
Reverse:
MVNIFICENTIA AVG, COS IIII/S C in two lines in exergue, armored elephant advancing right. RIC 862a. Well struck on a nice full broad
flan, Lovely hard dark green patina.
Superb Extremely Fine
.
The Romans' first experience with elephants was during the Pyrrhic Wars (280-275 BC) against the combined forces of Tarentum and those of
Pyrrhus of Epirus. Other than the initial shock and confusion elephants caused to the opposing forces experiencing them for the first time during
battle, their military value was largely negligent. In fact, according to numerous ancient sources, they often proved dangerous to the side having
them; elephants could be turned by archers and peltasts, as once feeling the sting of dozens of arrows and sling bullets the animals would turn
and run amok, rampaging through their own lines causing more harm to their own troops than they ever did to the enemy. This coin whose
reverse depicts an armored elephant majestically marching in procession commemorates the benevolence of the emperor, whose role as provider
of public spectacles (
munera
) is captured by the reverse legend, MVNIFICENTIA AVG. While the year this coin was struck, AD 148-149, could
have been celebrated as a Roman centenary in which the primary events would have been the centennial games, or
ludes saeculares
, it seems
that Pius did not host them. Instead, he celebrated his decennalia, his tenth year anniversary on the throne. Presumably, the armored elephant
depicted here formed part of the military parade through the streets of Rome that would have occurred during Pius' decannalian celebrations.
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................................$700 - 800
D
ESIRABLE
G
OLD
A
UREUS OF
D
IVA
F
AUSTINA
I
Enlargement
2021
Diva Faustina Senior, wife of Antoninus Pius. Gold Aureus (7.08g), died AD 140/1 Rome
.
Struck at Rome under Antoninus Pius,
after ca. AD 146.
DIVA FAVSTINA, diademed and draped bust of Faustina I right.
Reverse:
Fortuna standing facing, head left, holding patera
and rudder. RIC 349a; BMC 369; Calicó 1743.
NGC Choice Extremely Fine; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5 Fine Style
.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $4,000 - 5,000
Ex Goldberg 80C, June3-4, 2014, lot 395
.