Lot 4153
Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180. Issued as Caesar under Antoninus Pius. Gold Aureus (7.4g) minted at Rome, AD 151-152. AVRELIVS CAESAR ANTONINI AVG PII FIL. Bare head of bearded Marcus Aurelius left. Reverse: CLEM, below; TR POT VI COS II. Clementia (Mercy) standing left, holding patera with outstretched hand and holding out skirt with her left hand. RIC 456c; Calicó 1815. A splendid example exhibiting underlying luster on a pleasing full flan. A superb portrait of Aurelius, struck in high relief with bold details and of fine style. Superb Extremely Fine.
The delicacy of the treatment of the portrait of the thirty-year-old Caesar Marcus Aurelius on this superb gold aureus of AD 151/2 well illustrates the heights to which the Antonine die-engravers could sometimes rise. The elegant female figure on the reverse represents Clementia, the personification of clemency or mercy, an appropriate sentiment for the reign of the 'gentlemanly emperor' Antoninus Pius.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 13,000.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $20,700 |
