Antoninus Pius augustus, 138 – 161. Medallion 160-161, Æ 55.89 g. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. Emperor standing l., inscribing on a shield attached to a column, on which there is a Victory. On r. field, the Fecunditas standing l., crowning him and holding a child; below on either sides, children. C 1181. Gnecchi 110 (this coin cited) and pl. 55, 5.
Extremely rare. A very impressive medallion with an interesting and enigmatic
reverse type. Green patina with several encrustations. Good very fine

Ex Hess with Gilhofer und Ranschburg 22 May 1935, Trau, 1486 and Schulman 243, 1966, J. Graham, 2456 sales.

Antoninus Pius was born into a respected senatorial family from Nemausus in Gaul. He held various magistracies under Hadrian, assuming the consulship in AD 120 and serving as proconsular governor of Asia in AD 135-136. His wealth, popularity, character, and family connections brought him to the personal attention of Hadrian, who adopted him as his designated successor. As it turned out, Antoninus Pius was probably better than L. Aelius Caesar, Hadrian’s controversial first choice as successor who conveniently died before he could succeed. The Senate was pleased to accept Antoninus as the new emperor when Hadrian died in AD 138, but did not wish to honour the latter with deification since some of his acts had caused offense to that august body. Antoninus, however, like a dutiful son, strongly petitioned the Senate to recognise his deceased adoptive father as a god. The senators were so impressed by his pleading that not only was Hadrian deified, but Antoninus was awarded the special title Pius, meaning ”pious” or ”dutiful.” The reign of Antoninus Pius is considered the most peaceful period in the history of the Roman Empire. The new emperor never engaged in new conquests, but rather attempted to consolidate the imperial possessions, erecting the defensive Antonine Wall in northern Britannia and putting down disturbances in Mauritania, Judaea, and Dacia. All of this the emperor did from Rome through his provincial governors, never once riding forth onto the battlefield. In addition Antoninus Pius reformed the imperial administration to work more efficiently and reigned in the lavish spending of earlier times. However, he did host magnificent games to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome in AD 148. This increased his popularity with the masses, but its cost compelled him to reduce the weight and fineness of the silver denarius. After a successful reign as the fourth of the so-called Five Good Emperors, Antoninus Pius died in AD 161 at the age of 70. He left the imperial purple to his adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, whom he had adopted and trained as his designated heirs since AD 138. Aurelius had no need to make any special pleas to have his adoptive father deified. The deceased Pius was made a new god by universal consent. This medallion, produced in the last years of Pius’ reign, advertises secure preparations that the aged emperor had made for his death. He is shown on the reverse inscribing a votive shield while surrounded by four children and crowned by Fecunditas. The type advertises the four children born to Pius’ designated heir, Marcus Aurelius, and his daughter Faustina Junior and offers a reassuring picture of dynastic stability. As the death of the emperor loomed, there was no need to fear potential civil war. Even if something were to happen to Marcus Aurelius, his children would still preserve the dynasty.