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138-161 Roman Empire Antoninus Pius silver Denarius, Rome mint, obverse engraved laureate head of Antoninus right, lettering ANTONINVS AVG PIVS TR P IMP XV, reverse engraved Vesta standing left holding simpulum and palladium, lettering COS IIII, D: 18 mm, 3.25 grams. In Roman religion, every man has a genius, a presiding spirit. In De Die Natali, Censorinus says, from the moment we are born, we live under the guard and tutelage of Genius. Cities, organizations, and peoples also had a genius. On coins, we find inscriptions to the Genius of the Roman people, of the Senate, of the Emperor, etc. Titus Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus was born around 86 A.D. to a distinguished family. After a typical senatorial career, he made a name for himself as proconsul of Asia. He was adopted as Emperor Hadrian's heir in February 138 A.D. and succeeded soon after. His reign was long and peaceful, a Golden Age of tranquility and prosperity. He died in 161 A.D., leaving Marcus Aurelius as his successor. PROVENANCE: Private collection of Ken Dorney, classical numismatist dealer