ANTONINUS PIUS

Emperor AD138-61

The Antoninus family originated from Nimes. Hadrian adopted Antoninus as his successor following the death of Aelius. Popular with the Senate, he received the title Pius in recognition of his filial duty towards Hadrian. His reign was one of peace and prosperity and the emperor was well respected. In Britain, the defence known as the Antonine wall was constructed between the Forth and Clyde estuaries around AD143.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius before his accession, AD138
20mm, 7.19g

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IMP T AEL CAES ANTONINVS

Imperial title 'Emperor Titus Aelius Caesar Antoninus'

Draped bust and bare head of Antoninus, facing right

TRIB POT COS and PIETAS

'With power as Tribune and Consul' and 'Piety'

The goddess of piety, Pietas, stands by an altar, raising her right hand and holding a box of perfumes.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius before his accession (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius before his accession (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD138
19mm, 7.22g

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Back

[IMP] T AEL CAES HADR ANTONINVS

Imperial title 'Emperor Titus Aelius Caesar Hadrian Antoninus'

Draped bust and bare head of Antoninus, facing right

AVG PIVS PM TRP COS DES II

Running on from front title: 'Augustus Pius, Pontifex Maximus (Chief Priest), with power as Tribune, Consul Designate for the 2nd time'

The goddess of piety, Pietas, stands beside an altar, raising her right hand and holding a box of incense.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD138
21mm, 7.15g

Front

Back

IMP T AEL CAES HADRI ANTONINVS

Imperial title 'Emperor Titus Aelius Caesar Hadrian Antoninus'

Bare head of Antoninus, facing right

AVG PIVS PM TRP COS DES II

Running on from front title 'Augustus Pius, Pontifex Maximus (Chief Priest), with power as Tribune, Consul Designate for the 2nd time'

The goddess of piety, Pietas, stands beside an altar, raising her right hand and holding a box of incense.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD139
19mm, 7.42g

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Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP

Imperial title ' Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing left

TR POT COS II

'With power as Tribune and Consul for the 2nd time'

The goddess of piety, Pietas, stands beside an altar, raising her right hand and holding a box of incense.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD143-4(?)
19mm, 7.16g

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Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP COS III

Imperial title ' Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, with power as Tribune and Consul for the 3rd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing right

IMPERATOR II

'Emperor for the 2nd time'

The king of the gods, Jupiter, sits holding a thunderbolt and sceptre.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD143-4(?)
19mm, 7.21g

Front

Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP COS III

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, with power as Tribune and Consul for the 3rd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing left

IMPERATOR II

'Emperor for the 2nd time'

The king of the gods, Jupiter, sits holding a thunderbolt and sceptre.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD143-4(?)
19mm, 6.43g

Front

Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP COS III

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, with power as Tribune and Consul for the 3rd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing right

IMPERATOR II

'Emperor for the 2nd time'

The winged goddess of Victory, Victoria, holding a battle trophy in both hands.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD151-2
20mm, 7.12g

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Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP XV

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, with power as Tribune for the 15th time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing left

COS IIII

'Consul for the 4th time'

The emperor Antoninus holding a globe

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD155-6
19mm, 7.28g

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Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP IMP II

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, Emperor for the 2nd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing right

TR POT XIX COS IIII

'With power as Tribune for the 19th time and Consul for the 4th time'

The emperor Antoninus, holding a globe

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD156-7
18mm, 7.29g

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Back

ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP IMP II

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, Emperor for the 2nd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing right

TR POT XX COS IIII

'With power as Tribune for the 20th time and Consul for the 4th time'

The winged goddess of Victory, Victoria, advances holding a wreath and palm branch.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD158-9
21mm, 7.18g

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ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP XXII

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, with power as Tribune for the 22nd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing right

VOTA SUSCEPTA DEC III and COS IIII

'Undertaking the 10-year vows for the 3rd time' and 'Consul for the 4th time'

The emperor Antoninus with veiled head sacrifices with a dish over a tripod.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)

Aureus of Antoninus Pius, AD159-60
20mm, 7.18g

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ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP XXIII

Imperial title 'Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of his People, with tribunician power for the 23rd time'

Laureate head of Antoninus, facing right

PIETATI AVG COS IIII

'To the piety of the emperor, Consul for the 4th time'

The goddess of piety, Pietas, stands between two children, holding a globe and a third child.

Aureus of Antoninus Pius (front) Aureus of Antoninus Pius (back)


Last modified: Monday, 12 March, 2001