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 fascinating denarius shows Antoninus Pius wearing a wreath of grain ears and poppies, rather than the ubiquitous laurel wreath normally found on denarii. This was of course the symbol of Demeter, and some have sought to explain this unusual depiction as being connected to the Eleusinian Mysteries, the great mystery cult of Demeter and Persephone celebrated in Attica. Indeed, a curious issue of heavy aurei struck under Gallienus showing the emperor with a wreath of grain leaves is likewise connected to Eleusis. However, while Antoninus Pius' adoptive father, Hadrian, was a well-known initiate of the cult, Antoninus Pius famously never left Italy, and therefore could not have participated in the cult's activities. Another, more likely explanation is that the grain wreath reflects Antoninus Pius' keen interest in the grain supply to the capital, a fact abundantly attested by his coinage, which regularly featured Annona on the reverse.