Marcus Aurelius, as Augustus (AD 161-180). AV aureus (20mm, 7.25 gm, 2h). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Rome, AD 165. ANTONINVS AVG-ARMENIACVS, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius right, seen from behind / P M TR P X-IX IMP II COS III, Felicitas standing facing, head left, right foot set on globe, caduceus in right hand, cornucopia cradled on left arm. Calicó 1894a (same dies). RIC III 131 var. (bust type). An absolutely stunning aureus in the highest grade assigned by NGC. Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3048 (11 August 2016), lot 32103. Marcus Aurelius was born in AD 131 into a patrician family of Spanish origin. At an early age, Marcus earned the patronage of the emperor Hadrian and was formally schooled at the Imperial court. He subsequently was adopted by Hadrian's successor, Antoninus Pius, along with Lucius Verus and, when Antoninus died in AD 161, the two assumed the title of Augustus together. The years AD 162-165 were consumed in ferocious conflict with the Roman Empire's only large, civilized neighbor, the Parthian Kingdom, a war that first erupted in the buffer state of Armenia. This aureus gives Marcus the title Armeniacus -- "Conqueror of Armenia," as the result of a campaign under the nominal command of Lucius Verus; the true commander of the eastern expedition, Avidius Cassius, would much later make an abortive attempt to seize the throne for himself. The quality of numismatic portraiture attained a high level under the Antonine rulers, as exemplified by the superb effigy seen here. HID09801242017 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

To the auctioneer's website