FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Coin of the Day => Topic started by: gb29400 on September 09, 2019, 03:22:16 am

Title: Marc Aurel portrait OTD
Post by: gb29400 on September 09, 2019, 03:22:16 am
Happy to share you my last Marcus Aurelius sestertius


(https://i.servimg.com/u/f42/12/48/64/65/maurel11.jpg) (https://servimg.com/view/12486465/1085)
Marc Aurèle, sesterce, Rome, 166-167
[M] ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
Laureate head right.
R/TR POT XXI . IMP IIII COS III/ S/ C
Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm branch.
30x32 mm - 26.88 g
C.815, RIC.948, BMC.1318
Title: Re: Marc Aurel portrait OTD
Post by: gallienus1 on September 09, 2019, 09:44:38 am
I am very fond of the sestertii of this emperor, but your example is truly excellent gb29400! The smooth grey-green patina it has gives the coin an very aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The portrait of the philosopher-emperor, apart from being skillfully rendered, makes the divine Marcus look amazingly young. If the coin was struck AD 166 and he was born in AD 121, then he would have been about 45 at the time, yet the portrait looks to me like a man in his early 20's. Perhaps an example of Greek classical idealism, rather than the Roman realism typical of a Flavian emperor, produced for an Antonine emperor who was known during his reign as being a great lover of Greek culture?

A real show coin!

Best regards,

Steve
Title: Re: Marc Aurel portrait OTD
Post by: ickster on October 03, 2019, 11:06:18 am
Very nice! I had a look at your gallery, and there are many nice coins there. Thanks for sharing.