Aureus - Marcus Aurelius SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III; Salus
| Gold | - | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Marcus Aurelius (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus) (161-180) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 162-163 |
| Value | 1 Aureus = 25 Denarii |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#262732 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Salus, draped, standing left, feeding out of patera in right hand snake coiled round altar and holding vertical sceptre in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: SALVTI AVGVSTOR TR P XVII COS III
Translation:
Saluti Augustorum. Tribunicia Potestate Septima Decima, Consul Tertium.
To the health of the emperor (Augustus). Holder of tribunician power for the 17th time, consul for the third time.
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Aureus coin featuring Marcus Aurelius, which was minted between 162-163 AD, contains a unique feature that sets it apart from other coins of its time. The reverse side of the coin depicts the goddess Salus (Salvti Avgvstor) standing left, holding a patera (a shallow dish used for ritual offerings) and a snake. The snake is seen crawling up the staff that the goddess is holding, which symbolizes the healing power of the serpent. This imagery was particularly significant during the time of Marcus Aurelius, as he was known for his philosophical writings that emphasized the importance of reason, wisdom, and the pursuit of personal virtue. The inclusion of the snake on the coin may have been a nod to the emperor's philosophical beliefs and his desire to promote the values of healing and renewal throughout the empire.
