Ancient Coin Roman Imperial Marcus Aurelius as Caesar. Denarius. Father to Commodus AR Denarius 140-144 A.D.
This is an outstanding museum quality example of this tough to find coin in AU (my opinion) condition with a bankers mark, often referred to as a chop mark in the field right to the bust of Marcus Aurelius. Coin Description:
Marcus Aurelius as Caesar (139-161 AD) AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.13 gm) ca. 140-144 AD. Obv: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS, Bare head right. / Rev: PIETAS AVG, Sacrificial implements - knife, sprinkler, ewer, lituus and simpulum. C 451. RIC A. Pius 424a.
Marcus Aurelius (Latin: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus; 26 April 121 - 17 March 180 AD) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors. He was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his untitled writing, commonly known as the Meditations, is the most significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius was father to Commodus on of Romes most prolific rulers under Nero and Julius Ceaser.
During his reign, the Empire defeated a revitalized Parthian Empire in the East: Aurelius' general Avidius Cassius sacked the capital Ctesiphon in 164 AD. In central Europe, Aurelius fought the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians with success during the Marcomannic Wars, although the threat of the Germanic tribes began to represent a troubling reality for the Empire. A revolt in the East led by Avidius Cassius failed to gain momentum and was suppressed immediately.
Aurelius' Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180 AD, is still revered as a literary monument to a philosophy of service and duty, describing how to find and preserve equanimity in the midst of conflict by following nature as a source of guidance and inspiration.
