ANTONINUS PIUS
AD 138-161
AR Denarius. 3.28g, 18.1mm
MINTED: Rome mint, AD 162. Posthumous issue, struck under Marcus Aurelius
REF: RIC 441
OBVERSE: DIVVS ANTONINVS, bare head right.
REVERSE: DIVO PIO, square altar with double doors.
 
Notes:
Good bright silver, well struck and centered and with an attractive portrait.
Consecration issues such as this one struck after the death of the emperor marked his official deification and recognized that he had taken his place amongst the gods of the Roman pantheon.  Only emperors who were seen as good rulers by their successors and the people tended to receive this honour.  On the other hand, hated emperors such as Caligula, Comomodus and Elagabalus, who were seen as tyrants and national disgraces, would often have their memories condemned with a damnatio memoriae, an official decree by the Senate which would see their names erased and sculptures taken down.   
 
Provenance:
Ex Frank Robinson 92, 30 Sep 2014, lot 218; ex stock CNG (with their ticket)
 
Historical Notes:
Antoninus Pius ruled for 23 years and is counted amongst the 'Five Good Emperors' of Rome during the 2nd century AD.  Even though he was not the first (or even second) choice of his predecessor Hadrian to succeed him, the 52-year old Pius was widely respected by his colleagues in the Senate and as emperor would become very popular with the people. 
 
His reign was a time of peace and prosperity for the empire, and he was himself an intelligent, moderate, and fair-minded ruler.  Pius enacted laws that protected slaves and exercised clemency against those who spoke or plotted against him.  He also avoided heavily taxing the people, and carefully managed the state finances. His death of natural causes in 160 at the age of 75 was cause for great mourning amongst the people.