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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.

  2. Winning Losing Won Lost Watching Available in aftersale  

    Emesa mint

    E47, Lot 114:

    The Severans. Septimius Severus. A.D. 193-211. AR denarius. 2.44 gm. 17 mm. Emesa mint. Struck A.D. 194. His laureate head right; IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II / Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; VICT AVG. RIC IV.1 424. RSC 675a. As struck; hoard cleaned; bright; some weakness and surface damage; sharp strike; exciting style reflective of campaigning on the frontier.

     

    Emesa was a caravan city in northwestern Syria, the hometown of Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. Her family connected them to the priestly ruling caste of that city, greatly benefitting the Severan dynasty. Unlike many cities in the East, Emesa remained loyal to Severus during the destructive civil war with Pescennius Niger, who was governor of Roman Syria before being acclaimed by his soldiers as Augustus in AD 193. Severus sent his armies eastward and engaged Niger in a series of battles starting in the fall of AD 193, culminating with a decisive victory at Issus in May of AD 194. Niger was hunted down and killed. Severus and Julia Domna then undertook a triumphant tour of the eastern cities, probably arriving in Emesa in mid-194.

    During Severus’ eastern campaigns, mint strictures were loosened, allowing local moneyers, who would earlier have been considered counterfeiters, to take up the slack for the limited material coming from official mints. This coin, minted in 194 during his eastern campaigns, appears to be such an example, with its marvelously eastern portraiture and style, and clearly exemplifying the vigorous and spontaneous somewhat slipshod style strike reflective of campaigning on the frontier.

    After defeating Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus and becoming emperor, Severus — arguably the consummate soldier-emperor — adopted a military style government and paid little attention to the Senate. During his rule he fought in almost every part of the Roman Empire, from England to Syria.

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