Marcus Aurelius Sestertius, Jupiter (RIC III 988)

Catalog Reference

RIC III Marcus Aurelius 988

Ruler

Marcus Aurelius

Denomination

Sestertius

Date

170 AD-171 AD

Mint

Rome

Metal

Bronze

Portrait Type

laureate

Obverse

IMP M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXV

Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right

Reverse

COS III S C

Jupiter, naked to waist, seated left on low seat, holding thunderbolt, nearly horizontal, in right hand and vertical sceptre in left hand

About This Type

This RIC III Marcus Aurelius 988 is a sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (170 AD-171 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Jupiter, naked to waist, seated left on low seat, holding thunderbolt, nearly horizontal, in right hand and vertical 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 988?: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 988 is a Bronze Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius (170 AD-171 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. III no. III Marcus Aurelius 988.
How do you identify RIC III Marcus Aurelius 988?: The obverse depicts Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right with the inscription IMP M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXV. The reverse depicts Jupiter, naked to waist, seated left on low seat, holding thunderbolt, nearly horizontal, in right hand and vertical sceptre in left hand with the inscription COS III S C. Portrait type: laureate.