© John Conduitt (CC BY-SA)
© John Conduitt (CC BY-SA)
Denarius - Antoninus Pius VOTA SOL DEC II COS IIII
| Silver | 3.3 g | 17 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Antoninus Pius (Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius) (138-161) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 158-159 |
| Value | 1 Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.3 g |
| Diameter | 17 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#260244 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Antoninus Pius, veiled, togate. standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over tripod-altar left, and holding roll in left hand at side: beside altar, a prostrate bulleft.
Script: Latin
Lettering: VOTA SOL DEC II COS IIII
Translation:
Vota Soluta Decennalia Secunda, Consul Quartum.
Vows (prayers and sacrifices) paid (fulfilled) for two decades of rule. Consul for the fourth time.
Comment
Mass varies: 3.19–3.57 g;Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of the Roman goddess Sol on the reverse side, which is unusual for a denarius coin. Sol was the goddess of the sun and was often depicted driving a chariot of four horses. The inclusion of this image on the coin may have been a nod to the emperor Antoninus Pius's efforts to promote the cult of Sol Invictus, or the "Unconquered Sun," which was a prominent religious movement during his reign.
