Antoninus Pius AR Denarius, Rome AD 155-156, Annona seated, RIC 250

Antoninus Pius, Denarius, silver, reign AD 138–161; Rome mint, AD 155–156, 3.36 g, 18 mm. Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II; laureate head right. Reverse: TR POT XIX COS IIII; Annona, draped, seated right on throne, holding a cornucopia in each hand; at her feet right, modius with corn-ears. Struck on an irregular flan with small edge splits and slight obverse off-centering; reverse legend complete. Reference: RIC III Antoninus Pius 250.

The type proclaims the security of Rome’s grain supply under Antoninus Pius. Annona personifies the state’s provisioning system (cura annonae), with the modius and grain-ears signaling shipments from Africa and Egypt that fed the capital. The tribunician date TR POT XIX fixes the issue to AD 155/156, while IMP II and COS IIII reflect the emperor’s second imperatorial acclamation and fourth consulship, titles he retained for the remainder of his reign.