Series: Empire - Antoninus Pius
Reference: RIC III ANTONINUS PIUS 175

Gens and monetary:Antonina - Antonino Pio
Year and mint:From 148 AD to 149 AD - Rome
Obverse:Head of Antoninus Pius, laureate, right - ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII
Reverse:Annona, in robes, standing left, holding two ears of wheat in right hand over modius with ears of wheat, left; in the left hand an anchor placed in the ground. -COS III

Grade: -
Origin:CNG, 2025

Comment:
Antoninus Pius (86-161 AD) was the first emperor of the Antonine dynasty, adopted by Hadrian, one of the famous “five good emperors” (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius). To ensure dynastic continuity, Antoninus agreed to adopt Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, who would be his successors. Married to Faustina the Elder, he consolidated an imperial family that symbolized stability and harmony, inaugurating the most peaceful stage of the High Empire.
His reign (138-161 AD) was marked by internal peace, economic prosperity and collaboration with the Senate. He avoided new conquests, but reinforced the borders, organized the limes and improved provincial administration. He promoted public works, temples and aqueducts, and went down in history as a just and pious prince, a symbol of stability.
During the minting of this denarius, Antoninus celebrated his twelfth tribunician power (TR P XII) and his fourth consulship (COS IIII). Rome was experiencing a period of abundance and tranquility, guaranteed by the regular supply of grain from Africa and Egypt, the basis of social peace. It was also a time of urban splendor, with the completion of projects initiated by Hadrian and the consolidation of public charity programs, reinforcing the image of a stable and prosperous Empire.
On the obverse, his portrait conveys serenity and authority, reinforcing his image as protector of Rome and guarantor of imperial stability.
On the reverse, the Annona, standing to the left, holds two ears of wheat on a modius full of grain and rests her left hand on an anchor; legend COS III.
This type celebrates the supply of grain to Rome and the security of sea routes, symbolizing prosperity and peace under his government, where food logistics was key to maintaining social harmony.