Uranius Antoninus, 253–254 AD, AV Aureus, Emesa 5.88 g. 

L IVL AVR SVLP ANTONINVS, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right.
SAECVLARES AVGG, Cippus inscribed COS I. 

RIC 7. Baldus 88; Delbrueck, NC 1948, p. 15, 3.

Extremely rare and a very interesting issue. 

Uranius Antoninus produced a remarkably diverse and interesting 
coinage, consisting of imperial-style aurei, excessively rare 
denarii struck from aureus dies, and three types of provincial-
style coinage – silver ‘tetradrachms,’ billon tetradrachms and 
large bronzes.
His aurei present his full name, Lucius Julius Aurelius Sulpicius 
Uranius Antoninus and bear a portrait reminiscent of Elagabalus, 
and were struck at a heavy standard for the period, between 55 
and 60 per Roman pound, heavier than his contemporaries.

With kind permission of Numismatica Ars Classica, April 2011
Sold for 50,000 Swiss Francs. (approx. 53,868 USD as of the 
auction date)