Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 31 mm, 25.81 g, 1 h), Rome, circa 143. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS [III] Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. REX ARMENIIS DATVS / S [C] Antoninus Pius standing front, head to left, holding roll in his left hand and placing, with his right hand, tiara on the head of Sohaemus, standing front, head to left, raising his right hand . BMC 1272. Cohen 686. RIC 619. Light deposits, otherwise, nearly very fine.



The type celebrates the appointment of Sohaemus, a descendant of the Orontid dynasty, as king of Armenia in 144. His reign was interrupted in 161, when a Parthian invasion forced him into exile, but the Roman counteroffensive under Lucius Verus secured his restoration to the throne in 163. Sohaemus subsequently remained king of Armenia until his death in the mid-180s.