Marcus Aurelius Sestertius, Marcus Aurelius reverse
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 977 · 169 AD-170 AD · Rome
Obverse
M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXIIII
Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right
Reverse
PROFECTIO AVG S C COS III
Marcus Aurelius, wearing cuirass, on prancing horse right, holding spear in right hand; in front, soldier with spear and shield; behind, three soldiers carrying standards
About This Type
This RIC III Marcus Aurelius 977 is a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (169 AD-170 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Marcus Aurelius, wearing cuirass, on prancing horse right, holding spear in right hand; in front, soldier with spear and shield; behind, three soldiers carrying standards. Struck in bronze at a standard weight of 23.67g, 30mm 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 977?
- RIC III Marcus Aurelius 977 is a Bronze Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (169 AD-170 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Marcus Aurelius 977.
- How do you identify RIC III Marcus Aurelius 977?
- The obverse depicts Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right with the inscription M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXIIII. The reverse depicts Marcus Aurelius, wearing cuirass, on prancing horse right, holding spear in right hand; in front, soldier with spear and shield; behind, three soldiers carrying standards with the inscription PROFECTIO AVG S C COS III. Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC III Marcus Aurelius 977?
- RIC III Marcus Aurelius 977 was struck in Bronze, standard weight 23.67g, diameter 30mm, die axis 12 h, struck.
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