The Emperor and the Elephant | Rome, AD 148–149 | Bronze Dupondius in Sterling Silver Setting Type:Bezel

The Emperor and the Elephant | Rome, AD 148–149 | Bronze Dupondius in Sterling Silver Setting Type:BezelThe Emperor and the Elephant Struck in Rome, AD 148149 Set in Sterling Silver Struck under Antoninus Pius, this large bronze dupondius features a remarkable reverse: an armored elephant walking left, commemorating the emperors public games and the Roman tradition of showcasing exotic animals to the people. The obverse shows the emperors laureate portrait with the inscription ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XII. The reverse reads MVNIFICENTIA AVGthe

Issued in the late second century BC

Struck in Rome in AD 73

The reverse reads MVNIFICENTIA AVG—“the generosity of the emperor”—with COS IIII S–C below

emblem of Poseidon and symbol of naval power

Janus represents wisdom gained through experience and the courage to embrace what lies ahead

Set in a hand made 18k gold bezel

and good fortune

” The coin has been hand-set in a custom sterling silver bezel

paired with one of Rome’s most powerful foundation legends on the reverse: the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus

and controlled power

paired with a reverse that presents Vesta seated in quiet authority

the Merciful Judge