Aureus of Antonius Pius
Coin
151-152 AD (made)
151-152 AD (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This gold coin (auresus) depicts Emperor Antonius Pius.
Emperor Antoninus Pius' full title was: Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius. He was Roman emperor from 138-161AD. Of Gallic origins, he served as consul (120) before being assigned judicial administrative duties in Italy. He later governed the province of Asia (c. 134). He became an adviser to Hadrian and in 138 was made Hadrian's heir. On accession he had the deceased emperor declared a god; for such dutiful acts he was named Pius ("Pious"). Mild-mannered and capable, he was the fourth of the "five good emperors" who guided the empire through an 84-year period (96-180) of internal peace and prosperity.
The aureus was an ancient Roman gold coin, issued from around the 1st century BC up to the 4th century AD. One aureus was worth 25 silver denarii. The denarius was a small silver coin and the principal silver coin issued in the ancient Roman currency system from the late 3rd century BC until the early 3rd century AD.
Emperor Antoninus Pius' full title was: Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius. He was Roman emperor from 138-161AD. Of Gallic origins, he served as consul (120) before being assigned judicial administrative duties in Italy. He later governed the province of Asia (c. 134). He became an adviser to Hadrian and in 138 was made Hadrian's heir. On accession he had the deceased emperor declared a god; for such dutiful acts he was named Pius ("Pious"). Mild-mannered and capable, he was the fourth of the "five good emperors" who guided the empire through an 84-year period (96-180) of internal peace and prosperity.
The aureus was an ancient Roman gold coin, issued from around the 1st century BC up to the 4th century AD. One aureus was worth 25 silver denarii. The denarius was a small silver coin and the principal silver coin issued in the ancient Roman currency system from the late 3rd century BC until the early 3rd century AD.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Aureus of Antonius Pius (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Gold |
| Brief description | Coin (aureus), gold, head of Antoninus Pius / Peace, Roman, ca. 152 AD |
| Physical description | Gold coin. On the obverse is a head of Antonius Pius to left; border of dots. Inscription. Reverse: Inscription. Peace standing left, holding olive branch and sceptre. Border of dots. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr George Salting |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Historical context | Emperor Antoninus Pius, whose full title was: Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius. He was born Sept. 19, 86AD at Lanuvium, Latium and died on March 7 161AD at Lorium, Etruria. He was Roman emperor from 138-161AD. Of Gallic origins, he served as consul (120) before being assigned judicial administrative duties in Italy. He later governed the province of Asia (c. 134). He became an adviser to Hadrian and in 138 was made Hadrian's heir. On accession he had the deceased emperor declared a god; for such dutiful acts he was named Pius ("Pious"). He quelled rebellions in Britain and other provinces and built the Antonine Wall. Mild-mannered and capable, he was the fourth of the "five good emperors" who guided the empire through an 84-year period (96-180) of internal peace and prosperity. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This gold coin (auresus) depicts Emperor Antonius Pius. Emperor Antoninus Pius' full title was: Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius. He was Roman emperor from 138-161AD. Of Gallic origins, he served as consul (120) before being assigned judicial administrative duties in Italy. He later governed the province of Asia (c. 134). He became an adviser to Hadrian and in 138 was made Hadrian's heir. On accession he had the deceased emperor declared a god; for such dutiful acts he was named Pius ("Pious"). Mild-mannered and capable, he was the fourth of the "five good emperors" who guided the empire through an 84-year period (96-180) of internal peace and prosperity. The aureus was an ancient Roman gold coin, issued from around the 1st century BC up to the 4th century AD. One aureus was worth 25 silver denarii. The denarius was a small silver coin and the principal silver coin issued in the ancient Roman currency system from the late 3rd century BC until the early 3rd century AD. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 113 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.685-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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