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Orbis Collectibles

RIC III Marcus Aurelius 396

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC III Marcus Aurelius 396. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Marcus Aurelius. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right, with the legend M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG.

The reverse shows mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding inverted vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground, with the legend TR P XXXIII IMP VIIII COS III P P. The obverse shows head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right, with the legend M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG. The reverse shows mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding inverted vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground, with the legend TR P XXXIII IMP VIIII COS III P P.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
3
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

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ruled as Roman emperor from 161 to 180, marking the conclusion of the Pax Romana and the Five Good Emperors of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. Although remembered as a Stoic philosopher, his reign was heavily occupied by military conflict, including the Parthian War and the Marcomannic Wars against Germanic peoples such as the Marcomanni and Quadi. As part of managing imperial finances during this era, Marcus Aurelius reduced the silver purity of the denarius, the standard Roman silver coin minted here in Rome.

Physical characteristics

Material
Silver
Denomination
Denarius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Marcus Aurelius

Design

Obverse
Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right
Reverse
Mars, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, holding inverted vertical spear in right hand and resting left hand on round shield set on ground
Obverse legend
M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG
Reverse legend
TR P XXXIII IMP VIIII COS III P P

Identification

Type reference
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 396
Denomination and metal
Denarius, Silver
Obverse legend to match
M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
TR P XXXIII IMP VIIII COS III P P
Source note
Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary. Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
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

  • Editorial verification required.
  • Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
  • Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.
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