Marcus Aurelius. AE 36

Marcus Aurelius; 161-180 AD, Nicaea, Bithynia, AE 36, 25.59g. RPC-IV.1, 17463 (this coin), cf. RG-138 pl. 70.5 (obv die) and 157 pl. 70.22 (rx. die)). Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΥΡΗ-ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝOϹ, Bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust r. Rx: [EΦIAΛTHN-EΠΩΦEΔHN NIKAI]EIC, Ephialtes the Helper, goat-legged, standing l. wearing conical cap, holding branch and wineskin. This coin links the dies of the two previously known medallions of Aurelius at Nicaea, as seen in Rec. Gen. The rx. legend, which RPC does not record, was first deciphered and interpreted by B. Pick in Aufsatze (1931), pp. 105-112. Some gilding still remains on the obv. Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection; Ex CNG E300, April 2013, lot 144.It seems this coin was originally gold-plated. Wonderful medallic type at its birth. Pins held the coin in shape for its striking because of the high relief obverse. EF / F