Lot 1280
Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. AE Medallion (40 mm, 51.08 g), AD 161-180 and 161-169 respectively. Rome, AD 161-165. IMP ANTONINVS AVG COS III IMP VERVS AVG COS II, confronted bare-headed busts of Marcus Aurelius right and Lucius Verus left, both with slight drapery. Reverse: Jupiter, half-nude and draped to the waist, seated facing on a high-backed throne, holding a thunderbolt in his right hand and a long scepter in his left; on his left, Juno seated facing holding short scepter with her left hand and offering a patera to Jupiter with her right; on his right, Minerva seated facing, holding scepter with her left hand and raising her right to adjust her helmet. Gnecchi II 7, pl. 71, 5; MIR 18, 1009-2/12-22; Banti 7. Extremely Rare. NGC grade Ch VF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 2/5. Fine style, smoothing. Estimated Value $7,500 - UP
The Roman gods, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, made up the Capitoline Triad whose temple, the Capitolium, and center of worship was based on the Capitoline Hill. The triad, although appearing only infrequently on Roman coinage, played a central role within Roman religion as it consisted of the king and queen of Olympus, as well as the goddess of wisdom. This medallion, which was struck under the joint Antonine emperors, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, was probably distributed to high dignitaries perhaps attending celebrations for the triad.
Ex Nomos 23 (30 November 2021), 224.
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