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Throughout his political career, Antoninus Pius (86-161 AD) proved himself a consummate statesman, filling successive offices of quaestor, praetor, consul, proconsul of Italia, and proconsul of Asia. Thus, he earned the favor of Emperor Hadrian, who adopted him as son and heir. Upon Hadrian’s death in 138 AD, Antoninus was promoted again, this time to Roman Emperor. One of his first decrees was that his predecessor be deified, earning Antoninus the nickname “the Pius”.
Antoninus governed carefully, initially leaving Hadrian’s policies intact. He promoted the arts and sciences, bestowed gifts and honors to teachers of rhetoric and philosophy, and built temples, theatres and mausoleums. He did not participate in military activities directly, perhaps never even seeing any of his legions, leaving such matters at the discretion of his experienced generals. During his reign, arguably the most peaceful in the Empire's history, Antoninus never left Italy. With regards to economic matters, Antoninus maintained borrowing at a low 4% interest rate; however, the denarius continued its decline (silver was decreased from 89% to 83.5% content).
Antoninus was concerned over matters of human equality, and introduced new Roman laws to this end. He decreed that criminals should not be treated as guilty before their trial, which should occur (along with their punishment, if deemed necessary) in the same place as their crimes. Such principles are valued to this day. Antoninus even advanced the protection of women's rights and freedoms. After the death of his wife Annia Galeria Faustina, with whom he had a happy marriage and four children, Antoninus founded a charity in her honor for orphaned girls.
In 158 AD, Antoninus completed two decades ruling the Roman Empire. To mark the occasion, special denarii were issued, such as this one wherein the verso presents Antoninus as
pointifex maximus (the highest priest) making a sacrificial vow to serve for another decade. Three years later, the Emperor passed away from natural causes, and was succeeded by his adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Although Antoninus fell short of serving a tricennium, his reign was the longest since that of Augustus.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Antoninus Pius, 138-161 AD, Struck in Rome 157-158 AD, AR Denarius, NGC Grade: Ch MS, Obverse: laureate head right, ANTONIN VSP IVS AVG PP, Reverse: Antoninus Pius standing left, sacrificing at altar, VOTA SVSCEPTA DEC III, COS IIII in exergue, References: RIC 283a, BMC 956.