Marcus Aurelius, 161-180, As

Marcus Aurelius, As, AE, reign 161–180 CE, Rome mint, struck c. 170–171 CE, 10.77 g, 27 mm. Obverse with laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right; legend M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXIIII. Reverse VICT AVG COS III S C, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm; large S C in field. Even brown patina with minor surface marks consistent with circulation; legends legible and types clear. RIC III Marcus Aurelius 984.

Issued under Marcus Aurelius during his tribunician power for the twenty-fourth time, this bronze as belongs to the period of the Marcomannic Wars on the Danubian frontier. The Victory reverse type and the titulature COS III reflect imperial messaging focused on military success and the legitimacy of the emperor’s command, while the S C indicates formal authorization of the bronze coinage by the Senate at Rome.