© John Conduitt (CC BY-SA)
© John Conduitt (CC BY-SA)
Denarius - Marcus Aurelius TR POT XIII COS II; Virtus
| Silver | 3.3 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Antoninus Pius (Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius) (138-161) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 158-159 |
| Value | 1 Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.3 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#260628 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Virtus, helmeted, in military dress, standing right, left foot on helmet, holding inverted vertical spear in right hand and parazonium upright in left.
Script: Latin
Lettering: TR POT XIII COS II
Translation:
Tribunicia Potestate Tertia Decima, Consul Secundum.
Holder of tribunician power for the 13th time, consul for the second time.
Comment
Mass varies: 2.573–3.45 g;Diameter varies: 17.5–18.55 mm;
Example of this type:
American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Variant (found in British Museum):
[url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/665059001[/url]
Obverse: left of head AVRELIVS, right of head CAES AVG PII
Reverse: left of Virtus TR POT XIII, right of Virus COS II
Interesting fact
The Denarius coin featuring Marcus Aurelius (TR POT XIII COS II; Virtus) was minted during a time of great turmoil in the Roman Empire. The year 158-159 saw a devastating plague sweep through the empire, known as the Antonine Plague, which is believed to have killed up to 5 million people, or approximately 10% of the empire's population. Despite this crisis, the Roman Empire continued to function and issue coins, with the Denarius being a key part of the empire's currency system.
