Marcus Aurelius Sestertius, Libertas reverse
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590 · 178 AD · Rome
Obverse
Reverse
Institut für Klassische Archäologie, Universität Tübingen
Obverse
L AVREL COMMODVS AVG TR P III
Bust of Commodus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
LIBERTAS AVG IMP II COS P P S C
Libertas, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and rod in left hand
About This Type
This RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590 is a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (178 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Libertas, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and rod in left hand. Struck in bronze at a standard weight of 22.59g, 32mm diameter.
About the Sestertius
The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.
About the Rome Mint
The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590?
- RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590 is a Bronze Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (178 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Marcus Aurelius 1590.
- How do you identify RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590?
- The obverse depicts Bust of Commodus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right with the inscription L AVREL COMMODVS AVG TR P III. The reverse depicts Libertas, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and rod in left hand with the inscription LIBERTAS AVG IMP II COS P P S C. Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590?
- RIC III Marcus Aurelius 1590 was struck in Bronze, standard weight 22.59g, diameter 32mm, die axis 6 h, struck.
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