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Antoninus Pius

Reece Period attributed: Period 7

Obverse image of a coin of Antoninus Pius

Member of the The Antonines dynasty.

Coins for this issuer were issued from 138 until 161.

Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionus Arrius Antoninus was born in AD 86 to a politically-involved family. He eventually gained the honorific name 'Pius', possibly because of his devotion to duty and upstanding character. He took the usual route through Roman political offices, but he knew little of military affairs.

Hadrian adopted Antoninus in AD 138 after the death of designated heir Aelius Caesar. In turn, Antoninus adopted Marcus Annius Verus (eventually Marcus Aurelius) and the future emperor Commodus at the same ceremony. Antoninus' succession was unchallenged, and he introduced reforms for the acceptable treatment of slaves. An excellent public speaker, he ruled justly and compassionately. Antoninus engaged in no major military campaigns, and the empire enjoyed peace during his reign.

Antoninus Pius died of a short illness and was deified almost immediately by the Senate. He officially handed his power to his adoptive son Marcus Aurelius while dying. His body, along with his wife Faustina's, was laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Hadrian in one of the first imperial inhumations (as opposed to the more-common cremation).

Antoninus Pius followed his predecessor Hadrian's new fashion and wore a beard. He had a stern expression and was very tall and handsome.

Latest examples recorded with images

We have recorded 1,867 examples.

PAS record number: HAMP-44CCFE

Record: HAMP-44CCFE
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A silver Roman denarius of Anton…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

PAS record number: NMGW-C69718

Record: NMGW-C69718
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: Roman silver coin Antoninus Pius (AD 138-…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

PAS record number: PUBLIC-F2D84E

Record: PUBLIC-F2D84E
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A corroded Roman copper-alloy core of a pl…
Workflow: PublishedFind published

PAS record number: BH-F8D13A

Record: BH-F8D13A
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A copper-alloy Roman sestertius of Antonin…
Workflow: PublishedFind published

Other resources about Antoninus Pius

View all coins recorded by the scheme attributed to Antoninus Pius.

Information from Wikipedia

  • Preferred label: Antoninus Pius
  • Full names:
    • Antoninus Pius
  • Title: Consul of the Roman Empire
  • Predecessor: Hadrian
  • Successor: Lucius Verus, Marcus Aurelius
  • Definition: Antoninus Pius (; Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius; 19 September 86 – 7 March 161) was Roman emperor from 138 to 161. He was one of the Five Good Emperors in the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. Born into a senatorial family, Antoninus held various offices during the reign of emperor Hadrian, who adopted him as his son and successor shortly before his death. Antoninus acquired the cognomen Pius after his accession to the throne, either because he compelled the Senate to deify his adoptive father, or because he had saved senators sentenced to death by Hadrian in his later years. His reign is notable for the peaceful state of the Empire, with no major revolts or military incursions during this time, and for his governing without ever leaving Italy. A successful military campaign in southern Scotland early in his reign resulted in the construction of the Antonine Wall. Antoninus was an effective administrator, leaving his successors a large surplus in the treasury, expanding free access to drinking water throughout the Empire, encouraging legal conformity, and facilitating the enfranchisement of freed slaves. He died of illness in 161 and was succeeded by his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as co-emperors.
  • Parents:
    • Father:
    • Mother:
  • Birth place:
  • Death place: Lorium
  • Spouse:
  • Other title(s):
    • Consul of the Roman Empire
    • List of Roman emperors
  • Came After:
    • Lucius Minicius Natalis Quadronius Verus
    • Lucius Aurelius Flaccus
    • Lucius Poblicola Priscus
    • Lucius Plautius Lamia Silvanus
    • Quintus Antonius Isauricus
    • Gaius Quinctius Certus Poblicius Marcellus
    • Lucius Claudius Proculus
    • Titus Rutilius Propinquus
  • Came before:
    • Gaius Herennius Capella
    • Publius Cassius Secundus
    • Marcus Nonius Mucianus
    • Lucius Coelius Rufus
    • Lucius Marcius Celer Marcus Calpurnius Longus
    • Gaius Julius Bassus (consul 139)
    • Decimus Velius Fidus
    • Marcus Ceccius Justinus
  • Subjects on wikipedia:

Types issued

Issuing mints

Adrian Murdoch's Emperor's of Rome

This video has been embedded from Adrian Murdoch's series of podcasts on the Emperors of Rome. Many thanks to him for allowing us to use these podcasts.

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