Marcus Aurelius Sestertius, Mars reverse
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 862 · 163 AD-164 AD · Rome
Obverse
Reverse
Institut für Klassische Archäologie, Universität Tübingen
Obverse
M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS P M
Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, drapery on left shoulder, right
Reverse
TR P XVIII IMP II COS III S C
Mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground
About This Type
This RIC III Marcus Aurelius 862 is a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (163 AD-164 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground. Struck in bronze at a standard weight of 23.12g, 33mm 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 862?
- RIC III Marcus Aurelius 862 is a Bronze Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (163 AD-164 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Marcus Aurelius 862.
- How do you identify RIC III Marcus Aurelius 862?
- The obverse depicts Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, drapery on left shoulder, right with the inscription M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS P M. The reverse depicts Mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground with the inscription TR P XVIII IMP II COS III S C. Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC III Marcus Aurelius 862?
- RIC III Marcus Aurelius 862 was struck in Bronze, standard weight 23.12g, diameter 33mm, die axis 10 h, struck.
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