Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 2.68 g, 6 h), Rome, 140-143. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III Bust of Antoninus Pius to right with slight drapery on his left shoulder, wearing wreath consisting of grain ears and poppies. Rev. AEQVITAS AVG Aequitas standing front, head to left, holding scales in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. BMC -. CNG Triton XVIII (2015), 1099 (same obverse die). Cohen -. RIC -. Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example. A highly interesting and important piece with a fascinating bust type. A few light marks, otherwise, nearly very fine.




This intriguing denarius features Antoninus Pius adorned with a wreath of grain ears and poppies, a departure from the ubiquitous laurel wreath typically seen on denarii. The grain wreath is unmistakably a symbol of Demeter, and some scholars have speculated that this unusual depiction is linked to the Eleusinian Mysteries, the celebrated cult of Demeter and Persephone in Attica. A similar connection has been suggested for a curious series of heavy aurei issued under Gallienus, which depict the emperor wearing a wreath of grain leaves, also thought to reference Eleusis.

However, while Antoninus Pius’ adoptive father, Hadrian, was a noted initiate of the Eleusinian Mysteries, Antoninus Pius himself famously never left Italy and thus could not have participated in the cult’s rites. A more plausible interpretation is that the grain wreath symbolizes Antoninus Pius’ deep concern for Rome’s grain supply - a theme prominently reflected in his coinage, which frequently features Annona on the reverse.