Antoninus Pius, denarius, silver, reign 138–161, struck 145–161

Antoninus Pius, denarius, silver, reign 138–161, struck 145–161, weight 3.28 g, diameter 17 mm. Obverse: laureate head of Antoninus Pius facing right; legend ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P. Reverse: winged thunderbolt placed horizontally on a draped throne; legend COS IIII. Strike: hammered, centered, full flan with complete legends. Toning: light cabinet toning with peripheral golden highlights. References: RIC III 137; the supplied reverse photograph is inverted. This denarius was issued at Rome between the fourth and final consulships of Antoninus Pius, reflecting a period of internal stability within the empire. The obverse legend identifies the emperor as pater patriae, while the reverse type, a thunderbolt on a throne, symbolizes Jupiter’s authority and the emperor’s custodianship of divine favor. Coins of this issue circulated widely throughout the empire, facilitating trade and tax payments, and serve as primary evidence for the dating of Antoninus Pius’s fourth consulship (AD 145–161).