The name sestertius means "two and one half", referring to its nominal value of two and a half asses, a value that was useful for commerce because it was one quarter of a denarius, a coin worth ten asses. The name is derived from semis, "half" and "tertius", "third", in which "third" refers to the third as: the sestertius was worth two full asses and half of a third.
The brass sestertius typically weighs in the region of 25 to 28 grammes, is around 32–34 mm in diameter and about 4 mm thick.
Sestertii continued to be struck until the late 3rd century, although there was a marked deterioration in the quality of the metal used and the striking even though portraiture remained strong.
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Reverse: Legend: IMPERATOR II S CType: Victory, winged, draped, flying right, holding trophy, pointing upwards to right, in both hands
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 25.29 g
"Antoninus Pius received his second imperial acclamation, as recorded in this coin’s reverse legend, for the victory by his governor in Britannia, Quintus Lollius Urbicus, over the Brigantes in 143 AD. It was Urbicus that also constructed the Antonine Wall in Scotland from Forth to Clyde." - CNG
The obverse translates to "Antoninus Augustus Pius, Father of the Fatherland, Holding the power of the Tribune of the Plebs, Consul for the third time"
The reverse translates to "Commander-in-Chief for the second time" SC stands for "senatus consultum", a decree of the senate.
Reverse: Legend: IVNONI SISPITAE SC Type: Juno Sospita walking right, wearing goatskin, preceded by serpent on ground, brandishing spear and holding long shield
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 27.55 g
CNG dates to 141-143 AD
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Reverse: TR POT XXI COS IIII, Roma seated left on cuirass, foot on helmet, holding Victory and parazonium; shield behind. S-C in exergue.
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 28 g
Reverse: Pax holding cornucopia set weapons on fire; COS__II_II / PAX_AVG / S C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 26.33 g
Reverse: Apollo standing left holding lyre and patera; APOLLI_NI__AVGVSTO / S C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 19.4 g
Reverse: SALVS AVG, SC below / Salus seated left by altar, holding patera, feeding a serpent rising from altar and resting left arm on the back of the chair
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 22.78 g
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Reverse: LIBERTAS COS IIII, Libertas standing facing, head right, holding pileus in left hand and with right arm outstretched; S-C across fields
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 22.92 g
Reverse: Legend: SALVS AVG SC Type: Salus, draped, standing facing, head left, feeding snake coiled round altar, and holding rudder on globe
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 24.96 g
CNG dates to 141-143 AD
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Reverse: Legend: SC Type: Mars, draped, naked but for cloak hanging behind him, advancing right, holding transverse spear in right hand and trophy over left shoulder in left
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 23.57 g
CNG specifically dates to 147 AD
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Reverse: SALVS AVG - Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar left and holding vertical sceptre in left; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 22.15 g
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Reverse: IMPERATOR II - Fides, draped, standing, right, holding two corn-ears downwards in right hand and dish of fruit on raised left hand; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 22.88 g
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Reverse: CONSECRATIO - Pyre in four tiers, decorated with swagged hangings and garlands, surmounted by facing quadriga; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 23.28 g
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Reverse: PIETATI AVG COS IIII - Pietas, draped, standing left, holding globe on extended right hand and child in left arm: to left and right, a small child standing, left, each raising right hand; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 22.97 g
Reverse: TIBERIS, Tiber, crowned with reeds, reclining left, resting left elbow on rock, from which water flows and resting right hand on forepart of boat, on left; in left hand, a reed; SC in exergue
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 22.08 g
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Reverse: COS IIII, Togate figure standing, front, head left, on cippus in shrine of two arches, with semi-circular top: he extends right hand and holds vertical scepter in left; SC in exergue
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 25.54 g
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Reverse: COS IIII, Aequitas, draped, standing facing, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and cornucopia in left; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 23.31 g
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Reverse: ANNONA AVG, Annona standing facing, head left, holding grain ears and anchor; modius at left; SC in fields; COS IIII in exergue
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 29.17 g
Reverse: PAX AVG COS IIII, Pax, draped, standing facing, head left, with torch in right hand setting fire to heap of arms on ground at left, and holding cornucopia in left hand; SC in exergue
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 24.58 g
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Reverse: TRIB POT COS, Pietas, veiled, standing left, raising hand and holding incense box; to left, altar; S-C in fields; PIETAS in exergue
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 22 g
Minted circa February 25th-July 10th, 138 AD
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Reverse: TRIB POT COS DES II, Pietas, veiled, standing left, raising hand and holding incense box; to left, altar; S-C in fields; PIETAS in exergue
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 22.77 g
Minted circa February 25th-July 10th, 138 AD
Reverse: TR POT COS IIII LIBERALITAS AVG V, Pius, seated left on platform on right; in front, attendant, seated left, and another, standing left, holding up account board; on steps to platform, citizen standing right, holding out fold of toga; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 23.02 g
Reverse: Legend: CONCORDIAE Type: Pius standing right, holding small statuette of Concordia, clasping right hands with Faustina Senior standing left, holding sceptre; between them stand Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior, clasping hands over an altar; SC in ex.
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 27.98 g
"This reverse type is perhaps the most enigmatic of all of Antoninus' coins. The overall image is clearly that of matrimonial harmony, as evidenced both by the legend CONCORDIAE and by the male-female pairings. The difficulty, however, lies in the identification of the figures, particularly the smaller pair. Antoninus Pius is clearly identifiable: he holds the small statue of Concordia. He clasps hands with Faustina Sr. who, in her role as Pietas holds a sceptre; each stands on a low daïs, implying a somewhat elevated, though not quite divine status, as exemplar of marital concord. Of the smaller figures, Mattingly conveniently referred to them as a "man and a maid [who] plight their troth." Yet, in the first years of his reign, Antoninus Pius began to undo the dynastic arrangements established by Hadrian. Lucius Verus, though the son of Hadrian's earlier Caesar, Aelius, and clearly the previous emperor's favorite was delayed in his advancement and his betrothal to Faustina Jr. was soon annulled. In his place, Antoninus appointed Marcus Aurelius Caesar in 139 AD ; the following year, the new Caesar held the consulship for the first time. Now, as the clearly-designated heir-apparent, Marcus was without reservation be betrothed to the emperor's daughter, an event commemorated by our coin, and thus signal a new dynastic arrangement. Since Faustina Jr. was still a child, however, the actual marriage was delayed for five years." - CNG
Reverse: Legend: IMPERATOR II S C Type: Fides, draped, standing, right, holding two corn-ears downwards in right hand and dish of fruit on raised left hand.
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 26.35 g
Reverse: Legend: COS IIII S C Type: Antoninus Pius, draped, standing in quadriga pacing left, extending right hand and holding eagle-tipped sceptre in left
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 23.11 g
Reverse: Legend: HONORI AVG COS IIII S C Type: Honos, draped, standing front, head left, holding branch in extended right hand and cornucopiae, tip turned away from body, in left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 32.68 g
Reverse: Legend: TIBERIS S C Type: Tiber, crowned with reeds, reclining left, resting left elbow on rock, from which water flows and resting right hand on forepart of boat, on left; in left hand, a reed
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 26.19 g
Reverse: Legend: TR POT XIX COS IIII S C Type: Pax, draped, standing left, holding branch extended downwards in right hand and cornucopiae in left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 24.58 g
Reverse: Legend: INDVLGENTIA AVG COS IIII S C Type: Indulgentia, draped, seated left, extending right hand and holding transverse sceptre in left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 25.93 g
Reverse: Legend: COS IIII S C Type: Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in extended right hand and cornucopiae in left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 25.54 g
Reverse: Legend: COS IIII S C Type: Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in extended right hand and cornucopiae in left
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 25.91 g
Reverse: Legend: TR POT XIX COS IIII S C Type: Fides Exercitus, standing left, holding two standards
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 24.44 g
Reverse: Legend: COS IIII S C Type: Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in extended right hand and cornucopiae in left
Die Orientation: 4 H
Weight: 25.44 g
Reverse: Legend: PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM S C Type: Winged thunderbolt vertical
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 23 g
Reverse: Legend: HONORI AVG COS IIII S C Type: Honos, draped, standing front, head left, holding branch in extended right hand and cornucopiae, tip turned away from body, in left
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 26.71 g
Numismatik Naumann attributes the reverse as depicting Antoninus Pius himself, RIC and everyone else continues to call it Honos.
Reverse: Legend: IMPERATOR II S C Type: Victory, winged, draped, flying right, holding trophy, pointing upwards to right, in both hands
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 28.95 g
Reverse: Legend: S C Type: Spes, draped, advancing left, holding dress and gathering up fold of skirt
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 26.47 g
Reverse: Legend: TR POT XV COS IIII ANNONA AVG S C Type: Annona, draped, seated, left on low seat, holding two corn-ears in extended right hand over modius with corn-ears and cornucopiae in left
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 23.76 g
Reverse: Legend: SALVS AVG COS IIII S C Type: Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar left and holding sceptre, vertical, in left hand
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 24.24 g
Reverse: Legend: TR POT XXI COS IIII LIB VIII S C Type: Liberalitas, standing left, holding account-board and cornucopiae
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 21.27 g
Reverse: Legend: DES IIII S C Type: Salus, seated left, feeding snake coiled round altar and resting left elbow on chair; under chair, flower
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 24.66 g
DES IIII signifies that he has been elected to become Consul for the 4th time in the new year, making this coin date to 144 AD.
Reverse: Legend: TR POT COS III ITALIA S C Type: Italia, towered, draped, seated, left on globe, with zones and stars, holding cornucopia in right hand and scepter in left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 26.7 g
Ex. CNG E-Auction 482; Lot 423
Reverse: Legend: PIETATI AVG COS IIII S C Type: Pietas, draped, standing left, holding globe on extended right hand and child in left arm: to left and right, a small child standing, left, each raising right hand
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 23.72 g
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Reverse: PAX AVG COS IIII S C, Pax, draped, standing, left, with torch in right hand setting fire to heap of arms on ground left and holding cornucopia in left hand
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Reverse: COS IIII S C - Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in extended right hand and cornucopia in left
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Reverse: ASIA COS II S C: Asia, towered, standing left, holding crown in right hand and anchor in left
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 23.09 g
Roma Numismatics has this interesting tidbit: "This sestertius is part of a series portraying the provinces and struck for the offering of the "aurum coronarium", tributes donated by the provinces to the emperor upon accession and other special occasions. The practice was inherited from the Greeks who bestowed a gold crown on those deemed worthy of public honours and the tributes demanded by Hellenistic kings over the communities they ruled. Under the Romans, such tributes became statutory taxes and probably took the form of bullion utilised by the mint for striking of coins. The occasion provided a propaganda opportunity for Antoninus, who generously remitted half of the tribute to the provinces and Italy. The series of bronze coins, of which this sestertius is a part, commemorates the thirteen regions who presumably gave tribute and/or benefited from the emperors generosity (see RIC 574-596)."
Reverse: AFRICA COS II S C: Africa, wearing elephant-skin head-dress, standing left, holding crown in extended right hand and cornucopiae in left
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 26.52 g
"The provincial coin issues of Antoninus Pius begin early in his reign, circa AD 139, and represent something of a continuation from the similar series of his predecessor, Hadrian. Unlike Hadrian, Antoninus never left Italy over the 24 years of his reign and never saw the vast majority of the provinces depicted, although he did serve as governor of Asia during his senatorial career. Unlike Hadrian's series, where the provinces are usually shown in a submissive pose, those of Antoninus Pius are often depicted presenting a crown – reflecting the tradition of each provincial government sending to Rome a weighty gold crown upon a new emperor's accession. The provincial sestertii of Antoninus are, as a rule, quite rare and difficult to acquire in pleasing grades." - CNG
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Reverse: legend around S C; •CN•PIƧO•C N F•III VIR•A•A•F•F
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 15.9 g
Reverse: legend within corona civica; EX S C / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 21.4 g
Reverse: FORT REDVCI COS II / Fortuna seated left, holding rudder & cornucopiae, wheel beneath chair.
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17.13 g
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Reverse: Libertas standing facing, head left, holding pileus and rod.
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 24.99 g
Reverse: FEL AVG TR P VI IMP IIII COS III P P, Felicitas standing left holding scepter & caduceus.
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 22.67 g
40
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Reverse: IVPPITER CONSERVATOR TR P VI IMP IIII COS III P P, Jupiter standing left, extending thunderbolt and cloak over small figure of Commodus at his feet and holding sceptre; S-C across fields
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 24.77 g
Reverse: CONCOR COMMODI P M TR P XVI COS VI, Concordia, draped, standing facing, head left, holding patera in extended right hand and scepter in left hand; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 22.71 g
Smoothing in fields ex. CNG eAuction 456 Lot 407
Reverse: IVNONI SISPITAE TR P II IMP II COS P P / S-C - Juno Sospita, in a goat's skin helmet, brandishing a javelin and holding a shield, while walking on a serpent. S-C across fields.
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 21.93 g
Reverse: SALVS S C - Salus, draped, seated left on low seat, feeding from patera in right hand snake coiled round altar
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
CNG dates to 178-182 AD There are two different RIC #'s for this type and the only difference is the obverse inscription, this one with the longer inscription referencing Commodus himself seems to be 5 times rarer than the type that just says CRISPINA AVG
Reverse: SALVS S C - Salus, draped, seated left on low seat, feeding from patera in right hand snake coiled round altar
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Reverse: Dacia standing left holding staff topped with an wolf's head; D_A_CIA / S C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 14.23 g
Reverse: GENIVS EXERC ILLVRICIANI / S-C - Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopiae, standard in left background. S-C across fields.
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 22.24 g
Added onto the Wildwinds site.
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Reverse: No inscription, Domitian standing in military attire, head left, holding thunderbolt and spear, being crowned by Victory at right standing with head left; SC in exergue
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 24.9 g
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Reverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP / Claudius, togate, seated left on curule chair, holding branch; arms lying around; SC in ex.
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 26.8 g
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Reverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S C, Claudius, togate, seated left on curule chair, holding branch in right hand; various arms around
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 23.46 g
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Reverse: Reverse: AETERNITAS (S-C in fields), Aeternitas, draped, standing left, holding phoenix (nimbate right) on globe in right hand and with left hand holding out fold of skirt
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 25.16 g
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Reverse: AETERNITAS (S-C in fields), Aeternitas, draped, seated, left on low seat, holding phoenix on globe on right hand and transverse scepter in left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 26.17 g
Reverse: AVGVSTA, Vesta standing facing, head left, holding palladium in right hand, and scepter in left; S-C in fields
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 25.3 g
RIC dates to 141 AD, various auction houses use various dates during Pius's reign, as it isn't the Aeternitas issue supposedly struck 10 years after her death, and Pius had coins struck in her name all the way up to his death, I think all we can say is it was stuck sometime between her deification and his death.
Reverse: Juno standing left, holding patera and long scepter, peacock left at her feet; IVNONI__REGINAE / S__C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 23.6 g
Reverse: Legend: DIANA LVCIF S C Type: Diana, draped, standing front, head left, holding transverse lighted torch in both hands
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 27.7 g
Reverse: CONSECRATIO S C - Funeral pyre in tiers, draped, surrmounted by statue of Faustina in biga
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Reverse: MATRI CASTRORVM S C - Faustina, draped, seated left, holding globe surmounted by phoenix in extended right hand and holding scepter in left hand; before her, three standards
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
"Faustina was awarded the title of 'Mater Castrorum' (Mother of the camps) in AD 174 in recognition of her compassion for the soldiers in sharing the hardships of military life on active campaign." Sear II, page 346.
Reverse: LAETITIA S C: Laetitia, draped, standing front, head left, holding wreath in right hand and transverse sceptre in left hand
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 25.15 g
ex. NGC XF 5/5 Strike 2/5 Surfaces, Smoothing RIC suggests 161-176 AD, CNG believes a tighter range of 161-164 AD.
Reverse: SPQR OB CIV SER in three lines within oak-wreath
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 26.25 g
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Reverse: PM TR P V COS II P P, Gordian in military attire, standing facing right, holding spear and globe; SC in fields
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 15.02 g
Reverse: IOVI STATORI S C / Jupiter, nude, standing front, head left, holding long sceptre in right hand and thunderbolt in left hand
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 20.63 g
Reverse: VICTORIA AVG S-C, Victory advancing left carrying wreath & palm
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 25.35 g
Reverse: Jupiter standing, facing, holding scepter and thunderbolt; IOVI__STATORI / S__C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 15.45 g
Reverse: Pax walking left, holding branch and scepter; PAX_AETERNA / S__C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 19.46 g
Reverse: MAVRE-TANIA, Mauretania standing to l., holding two javelins and bridle of horse with raised r. foreleg. S C in exergue
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 22 g
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Reverse: MONETA AVGVSTI, Moneta standing left holding scales and cornucopiae
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 24.01 g
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Reverse: SALVS AVG S C, Salus standing left with sceptre and feeding out of patera a snake coiled around an altar.
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 23.4 g
65
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Reverse: PIETAS AVGVSTI S-C / Pietas standing right, sacrificing over altar
Die Orientation: -
Weight: -
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Reverse: Diana standing left, holding bow and arrow; S-C across fields
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 25.22 g
Reverse: P M TRP COS III / S-C - Ceres standing left with corn ears & long torch. S-C across fields.
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 24.75 g
Reverse: Felicitas seated left holding caduceus and cornucopiae; FELICI_TAS PVBLICA / S C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 19.84 g
Reverse: Venus facing, head left, holding apple and scepter; VENVS / S__C
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 22.8 g
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Reverse: VENVS S C, Venus, draped, seated left, holding winged Victory in extended right hand and scepter in left hand
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 21.57 g
Reverse: PIETAS S C: Pietas, veiled, draped, standing left, dropping incense from right hand on lighted altar left and holding box in left hand
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 24.94 g
RIC proposes a date range of 164-169, however CNG is adamant about the dating bein 161-162 right after she married Lucius Verus.
Reverse: PIETAS S C: Pietas, veiled, draped, standing left, dropping incense from right hand on lighted altar left and holding box in left hand
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 21.43 g
Reverse: Legend: TR POT V IMP III COS II S C Type: Parthia, draped, seated left on shields before a trophy
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 26.12 g
This coin is propaganda celebrating the conquest of Parthia (modern Iran). On the obverse he is wearing the title PARTH MAX short for PARTHICVS MAXIMVS (meaning the Greatest victor over the Parthians). Note he is also wearing the title ARM short for ARMENICVS (meaning Victor over the Armenians), as in 163 AD they had captured Artaxata, the capital of Armenia. Marcus Aurelius decided to not take the ARM title as he had nothing to do with it.
Reverse: CONSECRATIO SC, Lucius Verus, seated left in quadriga drawn by four elephants, on each sits a driver
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 23.31 g
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Reverse: TR POT VI ( or VII or VIII) IMP IIII (or V) COS III SC, Victory, winged, draped, advancing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm sloped over left shoulder in left hand
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 29.64 g
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Reverse: TR P IIII IMP II COS II S C, Victory, winged, half-draped, standing right, fixing to a palm-tree with left hand shield inscribed VIC AVG
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
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Reverse: TR POT VIII IMP V COS III S C, Aequitas, draped, seated left on low seat, holding scales and cornucopia
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 0 g
Reverse: CONSECRATIO / S-C - Four-tier funeral pyre decorated with statues standing between draped colonnades and surmounted by a quadriga. S-C across fields.
Die Orientation: 4 H
Weight: 20.31 g
Reverse: TR POT VIII IMP V COS III / S-C / FORT RED - Fortuna seated left holding rudder and cornucopiae, S-C across fields and FORT RED in ex.
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 30.5 g