Ancient Coins

Antoninus Pius, Sestertius, Rome, 143, laureate head right, rev. britannia, Britannia seated left on rock, leaning on shield, holding standard in right hand and spear against left arm, s c in exergue, 22.80g (RIC 742; BMC 1638; RCV 4153). About very fine, attractive brown patina £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Roman Sestertii, The Property of a Gentleman.

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Under instructions from the Emperor, the general Quintus Lollius Urbicus undertook an invasion of southern Scotland, winning some significant victories and constructing the Antonine Wall from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde. The wall, however, was soon gradually decommissioned during the mid-150s and eventually abandoned late in the reign.