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    E51, Lot 81:

    Marcus Aurelius. A.D. 161-180. Æ sestertius. 25.89 gm. 33 mm. Rome mint. Struck Autumn-December A.D. 177. His laureate head right; M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM TR P XXXI / Annona standing left between modius and ship's prow, holding cornucopia and grain ears; IMP VIIII COS III P P S C. RIC III 1218. C. 374. Very Fine; some flan striking splits; even brown tone; a fine portrait of the philosopher emperor, struck well centered on a broad flan; clear presentation of this important reverse type depicting the central importance of the import and distribution of grain to the people of Rome; '374' (Cohen no.) written very lightly in reverse field. Seemingly quite rare, with just one other example found by the cataloger.

    Few historical coin types exist for Marcus Aurelius from the last two years of his life, after he and Commodus returned from Syria to celebrate a triumph at the end of 176. Around December, 177 when this coin was struck, an alarming outbreak of hostilities on the Danube disrupted a hard-won peace in the region, leading to the Second Marcomannic War. This reverse type matches the only type issued in gold between December 177 and December 178. Aurelius was in failing health, he was shoring up Commodus as his heir, and shortly after this coin was struck he discontinued his use of the titles Germanicus and Sarmaticus.

    This reverse type has great significance. Annona was the divine personification of the grain supply to the city of Rome. The Cura Annonae ("care for the grain supply") manifested the emperor's power to care for his people. Great grain fleets sailed from Egypt and Africa across the Mediterranean, sustaining the greatest city on earth, maybe even until the 6th century, after having been shattered by barbarian migration and warfare.

 

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