Abydos, Marc Aurel, bronze coin — Artemis standing in biga drawn by galloping stags (CN type 3432)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
AD 161–180
Issuing entity
TroasCoin in bronze struck at Abydos in Troas 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 3432 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Marcus Aurelius, right. Legend: *ΑV* Μ ΑV ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ. Reverse: Artemis standing in biga drawn by galloping stags, right, holding bow in left hand, drawing arrow with right hand from quiver at shoulder. Legend: ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡΑΤΗΓΙΑϹ ΑΒVΔΗ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 11.45 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 27.5–30 mm (from 3 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Heuchert, RPC IV: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. IV: From Antoninus Pius to Commodus (AD 138–192). online (temporary), http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/, nr. 9184; Sanclemente, Musei Sanclementiani numismata selecta regum populorum et urbium: praecipue imperatorum Romanorum Graeca Aegyptiaca et coloniarum illustrata libri III: cum figuris: addito De epochis libro IV, Romae 1808, p. 238-239, pl. XXII, pic. 166; Linked type corpus, RPC IV.2, 9184.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 4
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 3
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ruled as Roman emperor from 161 to 180, representing the final monarch of the Pax Romana and the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. Struck in the ancient city of Abydos, situated along the Asian shore of the Hellespont in the region of Troas and Mysia, this bronze issue dates from his imperial reign. While Marcus Aurelius faced major military campaigns against Germanic tribes and the Parthian Empire, local civic mintages continued to function across the eastern provinces under civic magistrates.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Recorded diameter
- 27.5–30 mm (from 3 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 11.45 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Abydos
- Region
- Troas
- Authority type
- City
- Issuing authority
- Marc Aurel
Design
- Obverse type
- Laureate bust of bearded Marcus Aurelius, right.
- Reverse type
- Artemis standing in biga drawn by galloping stags, right, holding bow in left hand, drawing arrow with right hand from quiver at shoulder.
- Obverse legend
- *ΑV* Μ ΑV ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ
- Reverse legend
- ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡΑΤΗΓΙΑϹ ΑΒVΔΗ
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/3432
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 3432
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
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographynr. 9184
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographyp. 238-239, pl. XXII, pic. 166
- external concordanceRPC IV.2, 9184
Research required
- Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution