When I was getting started with my imperial Roman coin collection, I bought a few pieces that had less than stellar eye appeal. Over time, I have upgraded those coins with pieces that please me more. I spotted this piece on-line, and knew right away that it was above average compared to the rest of my collection. Here are the pages from my notebook about the emperor Marcus Aurelius, starting the photos of my recently acquired coin. Denarius of Marcus Aurelius, Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS “Antonius Augustus Armenius (named for successful military campaign against Armenia)” Reverse: P M TR P XIX IMP II COS III, “Pontifex Maximus (high priest) Tribunicia Potestate 19 (year 165) Emperor 2 ( year 163) Consul 3 (year 161).” Denarius of Marcus Aurelius, laureate head, right, Mars standing right holding a spear and leaning on a shield. Similar to Sear - 4919, RIC 123 Year TR P XIX - 165 (TR P calculation: 147, the first year + 18 = 165) · Originally named Marcus Annius Verus, his full imperial name was Marcus Aurelius Antonius . · He was the nephew of the Empress Faustina Senior. After his father’s early death, he was brought up in the home of his grandfather, who was also named Marcus Annius Verus. · Marcus’ grandfather had been named consul three times, which was a rare distinction for a man who was part of the imperial family. · The Emperor Hadrian recognized that Marcus had talent. He arranged a marriage for him to the daughter of Aelius Caesar, whom Hadrian had designated as his successor. · After Aelius Caesar died, Hadrian stipulated that his new successor, Antoninus, should adopt Marcus and Aelius Caesar’s son, Lucius Verus. · After Antoninus became emperor, Marcus’ career took off. He was promoted to the rank of Caesar, and his marriage to Aelius was called off. Instead he was set to marry the Emperor’s daughter, the younger Faustina. These were clear signs that he was slatted to be the next emperor. · In 145, the couple were married. Two years later Marcus received tribunician power. · Emperor Antoninus lived until he was 74 years old. The throne passed to Marcus when he was 40. · Honoring the memory of Hadrian, Marcus appointed Lucius Verus to co-emperor. This marked the first time there were two emperors at the same time. · Lucius Verus proved to be more interested in in enjoying the privileges of power than the responsibility of it. He was weak and addicted to the attractions of pleasure. His death in 169 may have come as a relief to those who were concerned about the well being of the empire. · Although gentle and philosophical by nature, Marcus was required to spend a great deal of time under the harsh conditions of military camps. Through out the 170s, he undertook difficult military campaigns in the Rhine and Danube frontiers against aggressive barbarian tribes. During this time, he wrote “Meditations” which examined the principles of Stoic philosophy. · After putting down a revolt in the East by general Avidius Cassius, Marcus began promoting his young son, Commodus, as his successor. He made him Caesar in 175 and then Augustus and co-emperor in 177. · Worn out by the cares of state, Marcus died in 180 at the age of 59, leaving his son to succeed him. · Marcus was viewed as a great emperor who furthered Rome’s greatness. He is viewed as a careful, generous and conscientious autocrat who “fittingly personified the virtues that had been her (Rome’s) glory. Here is the coin that I originally had in my collection for Marcus Aurelius. Denarius of Marcus Aurelius, Obverse: M ANTONINVS AVG “Marcus Aurelius augustus” Reverse: PROV DEDR TR P XVI COS III “by the providence of the gods, tribune 16th year, consul third year. A denarius of Marcus Aurelius, bare headed with Providentia on the reverse. She is holding a globe in her right hand and a cornucopia in her left. RIC 48, Year 162 AD
That's a gorgeous denarius! I frequently read portions of his Meditations as an evening devotion. Words to live by.
He certainly was a great emperor and a good man. His mistake was allowing Commodus to receive the powers of the Imperium rather than adopting a youth who might have been more promising.
Lovely coin, @johnmilton, an upgrade, indeed. I like the Mars reverse. My favorite Marcus: Marcus Aurelius, Augustus AD 161-180. Roman AR denarius, 3.15 g, 18.1 mm, 11 h. Rome, 36th emission, AD 178. Obv: M ANTONINVS AVG, laureate head, right. Rev: COS III P P, Annona standing left, holding corn-ears in right hand over modius and cornucopia in left hand; to right, prow. Refs: RIC 424; BMCRE 691; Cohen 151; RCV 4893; MIR 436-4/30.
This is my example of a very similar coin to your original MA denarius, with a slight difference in the obverse legend: Marcus Aurelius AR Denarius, 161-62 AD; Obv: Bare head right, IMP M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG / Rev. Providentia stdg. left holding globe & cornucopiae, PROV DEOR TR P XVI COS III. RIC III 50, RSC II 519. 17 mm., 3.3 g.
