Aureus of Antoninus Pius, Emperor of Rome from Rome

A.D. 147–48

On view, 1st floor, Ancient Art

Marcus Aurelius, adoptive son of the emperor Antoninus Pius (ruled A.D. 138–61), raised his son to the rank of Caesar, which effectively made him heir to the throne, in 141. Born in 121, Marcus was only twenty-six years old when this portrait was struck; he would live to his sixtieth year, and it is possible to observe him aging on almost a year-by-year basis on his coins. This piece, which shows Marcus with a slight beard, compares favorably with the Yale University Art Gallery’s portrait of Marcus in the round (2010.40.1).

Medium: Gold
Dimensions: 7.32 g, 12:00, 20.3 mm
Credit Line: Transfer from the Yale University Library, Numismatic Collection, 2001
Accession Number: 2001.87.7828
Geography: Made in Rome, Italy
Culture: Roman
Period: 2nd century
Classification: Numismatics
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Numismatics

Obverse Description

Obverse Description: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F Bust of M. Aurelius, draped, r.

Reverse Description

Reverse Description: TR POT II COS II Minerva standing r., holding spear in r. hand, l. hand resting on shield

Provenance

David Killad, to 1938; Yale University Libray, New Haven, Conn., 1938–2001; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

aurei, coins, money

Technical metadata and APIs

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