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Exquisite Gold Aureus of Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, AD 138-161
1233
Marcus Aurelius. Gold Aureus (7.12 g), as Caesar, AD 138-161. Rome, under Antoninus Pius, AD 151/2.
AVRELIVS CAE-SAR AVG PI IL, bare head of Marcus Aurelius left. Rev. TR POT VI COS II, Roma
standing facing, head left, holding Victory and a parazonium. (RIC 452d; BMC 773; Calicó 1942). A wholly
exceptional coin in an outstanding state of preservation, perfectly struck in high relief with a wonderful
young portrait of Marcus Aurelius. Mint state.
$ 35,000
ex Spink Numismatic Circular, vol. CVIII/5 (October 2000), lot 4055.
The obverse portrait on this coin is truly spectacular, with every detail of the curls of hair and beard, the eyebrow, and the eye crisp
and clear. Because of the exceptional preservation of the eye detail one can follow precisely the gaze of the young emperor. The
placement of the pupil indicates that while he looks ahead his gaze is very slightly elevated, perhaps already prefiguring the later
“heavenly gaze” of Constantine the Great (AD 306-337). The gaze of Marcus Aurelius here is just what one might expect from the
philosopher emperor while still serving as Caesar to Antoninus Pius. Aurelius is full of life and energy, ready to take on the enemies
of Roma, who appears on the reverse. When this coin was struck the difficulties of the Marcomannic Wars (AD 166-180) and the
problem of succession - both of which would test his Stoic beliefs - still lay in the future.