EGYPT, Antinoöpolis. Circa 2nd-3rd centuries AD. PB Tessera (21.5mm, 4.07 g, 6h). Dated RY 8 of Antoninus Pius(?) (AD 144/145).

Electronic Auction 485
Lot: 327. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Lead

Sold For $ 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Antinoöpolis. Circa 2nd-3rd centuries AD. PB Tessera (21.5mm, 4.07 g, 6h). Dated RY 8 of Antoninus Pius(?) (AD 144/145). Draped bust of Antinoüs right, wearing Hem-Hem crown; L H (date) across field / Draped bust of Serapis-Helios right; L H (date) across field. Wilding 8c (this example); Köln 3579; Dattari (Savio) 6445. Gray-brown patina with light earthen deposits. Fine.

Ex Roma E-Sale 41 (2 December 2017), lot 475.

Denise Wilding provides the first comprehensive examination of the lead tokens of Antinoüs, cataloging a number of otherwise unpublished types. Noting that they appear most often with the years 2, 4, 6, and 8, she suggests that the pieces were a continuation of the bronze coinage in the name of Antinoüs issued under Hadrian in years 19 and 21, with the lead pieces bearing regnal dates of Antoninus Pius. The tokens were likely issued in connection with biennial festivities of the cult of Antinoüs. For more information, see: Wilding, Denise. “Tokens of Antinous from the Province of Roman Egypt,” in Tokens: Culture, Connections, Communities. Royal Numismatic Society Special Publication 57 (London, 2019).

Closing Date and Time: 10 February 2021 at 11:48:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.