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

Obv : ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII.
Laureate head right.

Rev : COS IIII.
Annona standing left, holding two grain ears and resting hand on modius set on prow to right.
RIC 231.

Condition : The coin is in good condition with a light silver-gray patina. Some minor wear is visible on the high points, particularly on the portrait and reverse figure. A few small edge cracks are present, but the overall detail remains sharp and well-preserved.Good very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 6h

Weight : 3.71 gr
Diameter : 19 mm

In Roman mythology, Annona personifies the goddess of the grain supply, specifically linked to the yearly harvest and the provision of grain to the city of Rome. The concept of Annona is closely tied to the welfare of the Roman people, as grain, particularly wheat, was a staple food. The name Annona is derived from the Latin word "annus," meaning "year," emphasizing the annual grain harvests that were essential for the sustenance of the Roman population. The goddess became a symbol of the abundance of food and the stability of Rome's food supply, a matter of great importance to both the people and the state.

Annona is often depicted as a female figure holding attributes that are emblematic of her role in providing sustenance. In Roman art and coinage, she is typically shown with cornucopias, which represent abundance and prosperity, and she may also be portrayed standing beside a ship. The ship symbolizes the transportation of grain, as Rome relied heavily on grain imports from its provinces, particularly Egypt, to feed its large population. The depiction of ships alongside Annona reflects the importance of maritime trade routes in ensuring a steady flow of grain to the capital.

The Roman state took the grain supply very seriously, as it was critical to maintaining public order. A reliable and abundant supply of food was essential in preventing civil unrest. To this end, the Roman emperors instituted the *cura annonae*, a state-run system that managed the distribution of grain to the urban population. This system was vital in appeasing the people, particularly the poorer classes, and was a key element in maintaining political stability. Annona thus became a symbolic figure that represented not only the abundance of food but also the emperor's ability to care for the well-being of the Roman people.

The deification of Annona was part of a broader trend in Roman religion, where abstract concepts like Victory, Fortune, and Peace were personified as divine figures. In the case of Annona, her significance was largely tied to the emperor's role as the provider of grain. Under the Roman Empire, emperors like Augustus and later Trajan and Hadrian issued coins that featured Annona as a way to emphasize their control over the grain supply and their care for the population. The appearance of Annona on these coins was a potent reminder to the people that the emperor was ensuring their prosperity by securing the flow of grain.

One common depiction of Annona on Roman coins shows her holding ears of grain in one hand, while her other hand gestures toward a ship laden with supplies, sometimes with a modius (a grain measure) at her feet. This imagery reinforced the idea of the emperor's providence and the security of the food supply. The portrayal of Annona also tied into the broader propaganda of the Roman state, which emphasized the emperor’s role as a benefactor of the people, ensuring not just military success but also the stability and prosperity of everyday life.

Annona’s presence in Roman art and numismatics reflects the deep interconnection between religion, politics, and economics in ancient Rome. Her image was used to communicate the promise of plenty and the emperor’s divine mandate to provide for the people. She symbolized the lifeblood of the city—its grain supply—and by extension, the emperor's competence and benevolence in securing that supply.

In summary, Annona in Roman mythology is the embodiment of the grain supply and agricultural prosperity. She played a crucial role in the public perception of imperial governance, representing the state's responsibility to ensure the survival and well-being of its people. Annona’s iconography, particularly in coinage, highlighted the importance of grain imports, the emperor’s duty as the provider, and the delicate balance between economic security and political stability in ancient Rome.