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D2006-CMD-1191
Copy of a Roman sestertius
D2006-CMD-1191

Copy of a Roman sestertius

Date1600-1800
OriginEurope
MediumCast bronze
DimensionsDiameter: 34mm
Credit LineGift of Erik J. and Chelsea Goldstein
Object number2002-83 (G)
DescriptionObverse: Laureate bust of Antoninus Pius to right.

Reverse: Figure of Britannia seated to left, holding a military standard and resting her left arm on a shield.
Label TextThe original coin from which this early copy was made was struck during the reign of Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome from 138-161 AD, and served to commemorate the empire's province of Britain. The design used on the reverse of this coin was revived in 1672 for the reverses of the halfpennies and farthings of Charles II, finally falling out of use in 1775.

Therefore, the Roman original served as the model for two of the most commonly encountered coins recovered from American Colonial sites. Furthermore, it is interesting to have a copy of the original made during the American Colonial period, certainly for a 17th or 18th c. numismatist that could not afford, or locate an original specimen.

Original Roman coin: Roman Imperial Coinage, A. Pius, #743, Seaby-640
InscribedObverse: "ANTONINUS AUG PIUS PP TR P COS III"

Reverse: "BRITANNIA," "SC" in exergue.