Antoninus Pius 138-161 AD - AE Sestertius - RIC-619

Antoninus Pius 138-161 AD
AE Sestertius, 144 AD, Rome Mint
Obv. ANTONINVS AVG – PIVS P P TR P COS III
Laureate head right.
Rev. REX ARMENIIS DATVS SC
Antoninus, togate, standing left, holding roll in left hand and with right placing tiara on head of king of Armenia (Sohaemus), who stands left, before him; this king wears short tunic and cloak and raises right hand to adjust tiara.
RIC-619
Image shown: Münzkabinett Berlin 18200259

Three sub-varieties exist with obverse inscription breaking up as follows:
Var 1 - AVG - PIVS PP
Var 2 - AVG PI - VS PP
Var 3 - AVG PIVS - PP
Note that Var 2 has different variations of the figure of king Sohaemus.
Click here to see images.


Leu Numismatik Web Auction 6 Lot 966

The type celebrates the appointment of Sohaemus, who was a descendant of the Orontid dynasty, as King of Armenia in 144. Sohaemus was briefly exiled in 161 when a Parthian army invaded Armenia, but the Roman counteroffensive under Lucius Verus led to his reinstallment as King in 163, after which he continued to rule until his death in the mid 180s.