| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 1094 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Geoffrey Cope Collection of Ancient Greek and Roman Bronzes. The Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius augustus, 161 – 180. Description Sestertius, Roma 170-171, Æ 31 mm, 28.57 g. IMP M ANTONINVS – AVG TR P XXV Laureate head r., with drapery on shoulders. Rev. PRIMI / DECEN / NALES / COS III / S C within wreath. Reference C 497 var. (cuirassed) BMC 1398 (cuirassed) RIC 1007 Condition A coin in an exceptional state of preservation. A superb portrait and a wonderful untouched enamel-like green patina. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc Provenance NAC sale 52, 2009, 463 Note: During the 22 years when Marcus Aurelius held the rank of Caesar, he was cared for by his mother, Domitia Lucilla, who was the sister in law of Antoninus Pius and Faustina I. For this reason, he studied under the finest tutors and, nerveless, she devoted herself to prepare her son's succession. Without doubt, she was involved in solving her son's early matrimonial issues. However, the pivotal event of Marcus Aurelius' reign as Caesar was his marriage in 145 to Faustina Junior, the daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius. This event secured his co-emperorship with his father-in-law, and by 147, when Faustina II was hailed Augusta, his succession to the throne was certain. In 161 Antoninus Pius died and Marcus Aurelius was hailed co-emperor along with Lucius Verus. After an age of relative peace and prosperity under Hadrian and Antoninus Pius the nation braced for war. Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus immediate tasks were not to draft legislation with the senate or to engage in charitable deeds, but to lead their legions to the great river boundaries and defend their empire. Lucius Verus went to the East to guard against the Parthians and Marcus Aurelius marched northward to the long frontier defined by the Rhine and the Danube. Marcus Aurelius was to spend much of his life as emperor waging unwanted wars on the frontiers, which sometimes required leading his soldiers deep into German territory on dangerous expeditions. Lucius Verus suffered a fatal stroke in 169 when and Marcus Aurelius was now sole emperor. Estimate: 20000 CHF |  |
