Marcus Aurelius, denarius, silver, reign 161–180 CE, minted 163–164 CE

Marcus Aurelius, denarius, silver, reign 161–180 CE, minted 163–164 CE, weight 3.20 g, diameter 18 mm. Obverse: laureate bust of Marcus Aurelius right with legend M ANTONINVS AVG IMP II. Reverse: Felicitas seated left on throne, holding cornucopia in left hand and caduceus in right, legend TR P XVIII COS III. Strike: hammered, generally well-centered with moderate relief typical for Rome mint issues of the period. Toning: usually light to medium grey with possible iridescent highlights from long-term cabinet storage. References: RIC III 112; additional concordances include BMCRE 177 and RSC 170. Rarity: recorded as “Link” in current census listings. The coin was struck early in the joint reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, shortly after Marcus received his second imperatorial acclamation (IMP II) and during his eighteenth tribunician year (TR P XVIII). The Rome mint produced large denarius issues at this time to finance military operations against Parthia and to support state expenditures. The depiction of Felicitas, deity of good fortune and prosperity, signaled the emperor’s intent to associate the campaign’s anticipated success with general well-being for the empire. The combination of titles on the coin documents Marcus Aurelius’ status as sole recipient of tribunician and consular powers in 163–164 CE while sharing overall imperial authority with Verus, providing a precise chronological marker within his reign.