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Auction: 4018 - The Coinex Auction
Lot: 230

Antoninus Pius (A.D. 138-161), AE 31mm, 19.31g., Bostra, Arabia, A.D. 140-143, laureate head right, imp antoninvs avg pivs p p tr p cos iii, rev. leg iii cyr, bust of Zeus-Ammon right, wearing horn (Kindler, The Coinage of Bostra, p. 93, type a, pl. V, no. 19; Kindler, Two coins of the Third Legion Cyrenaica struck under Antoninus Pius, Israel Exploration Journal vol. 25, 1975, pp. 144-147, no. 2, pl. 14, figs. G & H; Seyrig, Les inscriptions de Bostra, Syria XXII, p. 48, no. 2, fig. 47), dark brown patina, very fine to good very fine, very rare Estimate £ 300-400 The reverse legend refers to legio III Cyrenaica. The origin of this legion dated back to the Augustan period (cf. Dio Cassius LV 23, 2) and its cognomen indicates that it was stationed in Cyrenaica for an extended period. Kindler (Coinage of Bostra, pp. 87-90) provides an account of the legion's movements; it seems to have been garrisoned in Egypt in the early years of the imperial period, and appears to have been stationed at Bostra in Arabia during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Kindler refers to the epigraphic and numismatic evidence which supports the legion's presence at Bostra (pp. 92-95). It is likely that the legion was involved in the Bar Kokhba revolt of A.D. 132-135. Kindler sites six examples: ANS, BM, KNM (Kadman Numismatic Museum, Tel-Aviv) (2), and two in private collections.

Sold for
£400