Denarius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Antoninus Pius
157-158
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 1.6 cm (11/16 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
10030
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the emperor Antoninus Pius, wearing a crown of laurels and facing right. On the back (reverse), the goddess Annona- the divine personification of the grain supply to the city of Rome- is depicted standing and holding ears of corn. The prow of a ship is visible behind her.
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...