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Orbis Collectibles

RIC III Marcus Aurelius 843

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC III Marcus Aurelius 843. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Marcus Aurelius. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right, with the legend IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M.

The reverse shows salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar, with the legend SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III S C.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
5
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, initially acceding alongside his adoptive brother Lucius Aurelius Verus. A member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, he served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161. His reign marked the conclusion of the Pax Romana and witnessed significant external military conflict, including the Parthian War and the Marcomannic Wars.

Struck at the mint of Rome, this bronze sestertius represents a denomination that functioned in ancient Roman commerce as one quarter of a denarius. The obverse features the emperor's laureate head accompanied by the legend "IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M". The reverse depicts Salus feeding a snake coiled around an altar, paired with the legend "SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III S C".

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Marcus Aurelius

Design

Obverse
Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right
Reverse
Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar
Obverse legend
IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M
Reverse legend
SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC III Marcus Aurelius 843
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M
Reverse legend to match
SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III S C
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.

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

Varieties

  • RIC III Marcus Aurelius 841

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • RIC III Marcus Aurelius 842

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • RIC III Marcus Aurelius 844

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

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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