Dupondius Antoninus Pius - radiated bust to left

ANTONINUS PIUS. Æ Dupondius. Rome, 153-154 AD. Obv. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P XVI radiated and draped bust left, seen from behind Rv. SALVS AVG COS IIII SC Salus staging left, holding a scepter and feeding a snake raising from an altar. RIC 909b, Cohen - Very unusual radiated portrait left, occuring only on 3 other types for Antoninus Pius: - 656A (BONO EVENTVI SC) : COS III, 140-144 AD, head - 660b (GENIO SENATVS) : id. - 670 (SALVS AVGVSTI) : id. All Antoninus Pius middle bronzes with portrait to left are rare; however, nothing proves a dedicated use such as special issues. This coin, though, with such a portrait type and an excellent style, does make think about a special issue. CGB mail bid auction 34, lot 512