© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Denarius - Marcus Aurelius RELIG AVG IMP VII COS III; Mercury
174 year| Silver | 2.7 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Marcus Aurelius (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus) (161-180) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 174 |
| Value | 1 Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 2.7 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#262978 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Mercury, wearing petasus and short cloak, standing front, head left, holding patera in extended right hand and caduceus in left hand.
Script: Latin
Lettering: RELIG AVG IMP VII COS III
Translation:
Religio Augusti. Imperator Septimum, Consul Tertium.
The religion of the emperor (Augustus). Supreme commander (Imperator) for the seventh time, consul for the third time.
Comment
Example of this type:Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
The Denarius coin featuring Marcus Aurelius, which was minted during his reign from 161 to 180 AD, was used to promote the Roman Empire's official religion, which was dedicated to the worship of the Roman state and its rulers. The coin's design features an image of Mercury, the Roman messenger god, on the reverse side, while the obverse side bears the image of Marcus Aurelius himself. This coin was used as a means of propaganda to spread the idea of the Roman Empire's divine right to rule and to promote the cult of the emperor.
