England's Lost History
Antoninus Pius AS coin with Britannia Reverse (154-155 AD)
A Roman copper alloy as of Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD) dating to the period 154-155 AD.
BRITANNIA COS IIII reverse type depicting Britannia seated left on a rock. Mint of Rome.
This is a Coin of British Association, struck at Rome apparently for exclusive issue in Britain.
Britannia, the personification of Britain, first appears on coins of the Roman emperor Hadrian (AD 117-38), the builder of the great wall across Britain. This coin comes from the reign of his successor Antoninus Pius (AD 138-61), who built the lesser-known 'Antonine Wall' across lowland Scotland between the rivers Forth and Clyde.
This bronze AS dated to AD 155, was common in Britain but rare in other parts of the Roman Empire. It may well have formed part of a special shipment of coins to the island. If so, the subject of Britannia was well-chosen for this issue.The image on this coin has long fascinated scholars. Some argue that the figure of Britannia is in mourning because she holds her hand to her forehead - a gesture in classical art usually taken to indicate sorrow. The traditional explanation of this is that a British revolt had recently been put down by the Roman army.
Antoninus Pius AS coin with Britannia Reverse (154-155 AD)
A Roman copper alloy as of Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD) dating to the period 154-155 AD.
BRITANNIA COS IIII reverse type depicting Britannia seated left on a rock. Mint of Rome.
This is a Coin of British Association, struck at Rome apparently for exclusive issue in Britain.
Britannia, the personification of Britain, first appears on coins of the Roman emperor Hadrian (AD 117-38), the builder of the great wall across Britain. This coin comes from the reign of his successor Antoninus Pius (AD 138-61), who built the lesser-known 'Antonine Wall' across lowland Scotland between the rivers Forth and Clyde.
This bronze AS dated to AD 155, was common in Britain but rare in other parts of the Roman Empire. It may well have formed part of a special shipment of coins to the island. If so, the subject of Britannia was well-chosen for this issue.The image on this coin has long fascinated scholars. Some argue that the figure of Britannia is in mourning because she holds her hand to her forehead - a gesture in classical art usually taken to indicate sorrow. The traditional explanation of this is that a British revolt had recently been put down by the Roman army.