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Orbis Collectibles

Philippopolis, Marc Aurel, bronze coin — Ares standing left (CN type 12945)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 161–180

Issuing entity

Thrace

Coin in bronze struck at Philippopolis in Thrace under Marc Aurel, dated AD 161–180. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12945 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Antoninus Pius, right. Legend: ΑV ΚΑΙ Μ ΑVΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟ. Reverse: Ares standing left, wearing helmet, holding patera and spear; at his feet, shield. Legend: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 3.95 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 19.4 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Varbanov, The Coinage of Philippopolis. Vol. II Catalogue 2, Bourgas 2019, p. 72-73, nr. VI.32.4.1.1.4.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Struck between AD 161 and 180 during the Roman Imperial Period, this civic coin was produced at Philippopolis in Thrace under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Philippopolis was originally founded as a polis by Philip the Great in 342 BC, later alternating between Macedonian and Odrysian Thracian control before Roman rule. Marcus Aurelius governed the Roman Empire as the last ruler of the Pax Romana from 161 until his death in 180.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
19.4 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
3.95 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Philippopolis
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Marc Aurel

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Antoninus Pius, right.
Reverse type
Ares standing left, wearing helmet, holding patera and spear; at his feet, shield.
Obverse legend
ΑV ΚΑΙ Μ ΑVΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟ
Reverse legend
ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial Period
How to identify
Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12945
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12945

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

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