IONIA. Ephesus. Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Hexassarion (Bronze, 37 mm, 25.72 g, 6 h). Τ ΑΙΛ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟϹ Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. ΠΟCЄΙΔΩΝ ACΦΑΛΙΟC ЄΦЄϹΙΩΝ Poseidon standing front, holding dolphin in his right hand and trident in his left. Karwiese 254 (one example recorded) = RPC IV.2 online 2751. Extremely rare, apparently the second and finest known example. A highly unusual and interesting issue of the finest Antonine style. Minor flan faults on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.



One occasionally encounters provincial coins that stylistically rival the finest products from the Roman mint. Such is the case with this piece, which not only displays a magnificent obverse portrait of Antoninus Pius, but also showcases the die engraver’s skill on the reverse with an impressive frontal depiction of the sea god Poseidon.