Marcus Aurelius Sestertius, Salus (RIC III 981)

Catalog Reference

RIC III Marcus Aurelius 981

Ruler

Marcus Aurelius

Denomination

Sestertius

Date

169 AD-170 AD

Mint

Rome

Metal

Bronze

Portrait Type

laureate

Obverse

M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXIIII

Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, drapery on left shoulder, right

Reverse

SALVTI AVG COS III S C

Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding sceptre in left hand

About This Type

This RIC III Marcus Aurelius 981 is a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (169 AD-170 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding sceptre in left hand.

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.

All Marcus Aurelius coins Rome mint All Sestertius coins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RIC III Marcus Aurelius 981?: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 981 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 981.
How do you identify RIC III Marcus Aurelius 981?: The obverse depicts Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, drapery on left shoulder, right with the inscription M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXIIII. The reverse depicts Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding sceptre in left hand with the inscription SALVTI AVG COS III S C. Portrait type: laureate.