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Auction: 23004 - Ancient and British Coins - Featuring the 'White Rose' Collection
Lot: 647

Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius (161-180), AV Aureus, struck Summer-December AD 166, Rome, M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, rev. TR P XX IMP IIII COS III, Victory standing facing, head right, holding palm branch in right hand and fixing to a palm tree a shield inscribed VIC / PAR, 7.25g [111.9grns], 12h (Cohen 877 variety; BMC 404; RIC III, 161; Tyssen [1802], 2492; Biaggi 897; Calicó 1993 these dies; MIR 18, 141-2/37; Faces of Power 294), die softness on highest points, otherwise lustrous, almost extremely fine, rare, especially in this laudable grade with a poignant commemoration

This design celebrates the conclusion of the Romano-Parthian War (AD 161-166), following the successful incursions into Lower Mesopotamia and Media in parody of Alexander the Great's prior achievements in Seleucia. Following a rebellion in Syria over the Winter on AD 161/62, Aurelius' brother co-Emperor, Lucius Verus opted to personally oversee the campaign. By the end of AD 165, Avidus Cassius and Legio III Gallica had reached the twin metropolises of Mesopotamia: Seleucia on the right bank of the Tigris and Ctesiphon on the left. Ctesiphon was taken and its Royal Palace set to flame. The citizens of Seleucia, still largely Greek opened its gates to the invaders but got sacked nonetheless, leaving a black mark on Lucius' reputation.

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Estimate
£10,000 to £12,000

Starting price
£10000