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Sale 109
Lot 2152
Antoninus Pius. Æ Sestertius (26.62 g), AD 138-161. Rome, ca. AD 141-143. Laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse: REX ARMENIIS DATVS, emperor standing left, holding roll and placing hand on head of Armenian king, who raises hand to adjust tiara. RIC 619. Rare. Brown patina, several light cleaning scratches in fields. Choice Very Fine. Estimate Value $500 - 700
Ex CNG 84 (5 May 2010), lot 1035 (realized $1000.).
As Rome and Parthia (and, later, the Sasanians) vied with one another for control of the border territories in eastern Anatolia and northern Syria, the kingdom of Armenia became a crucial prize for both. With a client-king installed on its throne, Armenia could sereve as an important buffer for either empire. Thus, the appointment of a new ruler to the Armenian throne was an important event. Given that this sestertius was struck during the third consulship of Pius (AD 140-144), the only possible candidate for the new Armenian king represented heere is Sohemo (first reign, circa AD 140/44)
From the CNG catalog description.
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| Realized $750 |
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