Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Marcus Aurelius, 161-180. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 30 mm, 23.02 g, 12 h), Rome, 171-172. M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVI Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. IMP VI COS III / S C /[VIR]TVS AVG Marcus Aurelius in military dress, advancing left across a pontoon bridge over a river, followed by five soldiers, including one riding a horse. Banti 500. BMC 1427. Cohen 1000. RIC 1047. Extremely rare. With a remarkably detailed reverse type, of a type usually found on medallions, and a dark green patina. Corrosion pitting on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.
The wooden bridge on the reverse, which seems to be supported by boats, has been identified as one of the bridges over the Danube, and may just be a general reference to Marcus's campaigns over the Marcomanni. It would be an attractive idea to connect this reverse to the emperor's defeat of the Iazyyges on the frozen Danube; unfortunately, that seems to have happened in late 173, over a year after this coin was struck.
The wooden bridge on the reverse, which seems to be supported by boats, has been identified as one of the bridges over the Danube, and may just be a general reference to Marcus's campaigns over the Marcomanni. It would be an attractive idea to connect this reverse to the emperor's defeat of the Iazyyges on the frozen Danube; unfortunately, that seems to have happened in late 173, over a year after this coin was struck.