Lot 3461

Description

Marcus Aurelius, (A.D. 161-180), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued December 172-173, (21.39 g), obv. laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to right, around M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII, rev. around RESTITVTORI ITALIAE IMP VI COS III, S C in exergue, Marcus Aurelius in military attire standing left raising turreted figure of Italia who kneels right holding globe, (S.4997, RIC 1077, C.538). Brown patination, good very fine/very fine, reverse legend weak in places, rare.

This coin commemorates the deliverance of Italy (Restorer of Italy), from the threat of barbarian invasion resulting from the successes in his wars against the Germanic tribes of the Danubian region.