ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161). GOLD Aureus. Rome.

Obv: IMP T AEL CAES HADRI ANTONINVS.
Bare head right.
Rev: AVG PIVS P M TR P COS DES II.
Pietas standing right, holding acerrum and raising hand over lighted and garlanded altar to right.

RIC 13; Calicó 1469.

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: Good very fine; luster in field.

Weight: 6.86 g.
Diameter: 18 mm.