The inscription RESTITVTORI ITALIAE should answer your question. Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 21.36 g, 29.5 mm, 12 h. Rome, AD 173. Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII, head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right. Rev: RESTITVTORI ITALIAE IMP VI COS III, Marcus Aurelius, in military dress, standing left, holding vertical spear in left hand and clasping right hands with Italia kneeling right before him, holding globe in left hand; SC in exergue. Refs: RIC 1077; BMCRE 1449-1450; Cohen 538; RCV 4997; MIR 259.
That's neat. Do you know if the 1913 coin is an homage to the ancient or just a coincidence? Numista states the 1913 reverse is "Italy on adorned quadriga"
Nice combo. I suppose I should find an ancient lion quadriga to go with my 50-centesimi piece. Perhaps someone else can help with that, and we can partner up.
Oh, they're definitely an homage. Practically all the Italian designs of that era were classical throwbacks, and lovely ones at that.
Lion quadriga! Julia Domna, AD 193-217. Roman AR denarius, 3.30 g, 19 mm, 6 h. Rome, 21st emission, AD 205. Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: MATER AVGG, Julia Domna, as Cybele, seated left in quadriga of lions and holding branch in her right hand. Refs: RIC 562; BMCRE 48; Cohen/RSC 117; RCV 6592; Hill 759; CRE 354.
Hmmm... a little over 2,000 years ago, ITALIA wanted NOTHING to do with Rome... They were ANGRY and went to WAR with Rome. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_War_(Italian) ITALIA Marsic Confederation AR Denarius Bovianum(?) mint, 89 BCE. 3.93g, 20mm, 3h Obv: Laureate head of Italia left, VITELIA = ITALIA in Oscan script Rev: Soldier standing facing, head right, foot on uncertain object, holding inverted spear and sword, recumbent bull to right facing; retrograde B in exergue. Ref: Campana 122 (same dies); HN Italy 407 Ex: Eucharius Collection. Ex: Roma Auction 11, Lot 607
