Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34 mm, 28.46 g, 1 h), Rome, circa 142. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P COS III Laureate and draped bust of Antoninus Pius to right, seen from behind. Rev. VICTORIA AVG / S C Victory, holding whip in her right hand and reins in her left, driving galloping quadriga to right. BMC 1328. Cohen -. RIC -, cf. 654 (differing obverse legend and bust type). Strack 906. A very rare variety. An attractive example of this important British victory issue. Lightly smoothed and the eyes of the horses somewhat tooled, otherwise, good very fine.



This victory issue commemorates Q. Lollius Urbicus’s campaign in Britain, which led to victories over northern tribes and the shift of the frontier from Hadrian’s Wall to the newly built Antonine Wall on the Firth of Clyde, about 150 km farther north.