Antoninus Pius, dupondius, bronze, reign 138-161, minted 138-161

Antoninus Pius, dupondius, bronze, reign 138-161, minted 138-161, weight 11.0 g, diameter 27 mm. Obverse: radiate head of Antoninus Pius right; legend ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P. Reverse: Antoninus Pius standing left, sacrificing with patera over a lighted tripod; legend VOTA SVSCEPTA DEC III / S C / COS IIII. Strike: broad, even strike with complete flan and full legends. Toning: uniform dark brown patina with lighter high points. References: RIC III 814; BMCRE 1739; Cohen 1040; linked to the British die study database. The dupondius was a mid-value Roman bronze coin valued at two asses and distinguished from the as by the radiate crown on the emperor’s portrait. Under Antoninus Pius the radiate portrait continued this convention, facilitating quick recognition in commerce. The reverse type records the emperor’s vows (vota suscepta) undertaken for the decennial celebration of his reign, showing him performing a sacrifice, an act emphasizing piety and public religious duty consistent with his cognomen “Pius”. The S C marks senatorial authority over bronze issues, while COS IIII fixes the dating to his fourth consulship, 145-161. Such coins circulated widely in the western provinces, illustrating both the stability of Antoninus Pius’s administration and the importance of ceremonial vows in maintaining public support for the imperial office.