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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,750 |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
When I took up the challenge of finding a large bronze of Marcus Aurelius sporting a portrait with a suitable degree of realism, I must say...I was not prepared for the difficulty I faced. Especially with my limited budget. It's a delicate balance! After much searching, and much encouragement (my thanks to Palouche and Novicius), I was able to finally settle on this attractive AE-As. This specimen checks many boxes for me: large size, nice tone, sharp realistic portrait, and just enough "defects" to evidence the coin's travels through history.  The coins of Marcus Aurelius indicate a distinct shift in portrait style, in my opinion. From the (Greco-Roman) realism preferred by previous emperors towards a more interpretive, stylized expression. The exaggeration of the facial features seems to find its beginnings with the reign of Aurelius (especially the enlargement of the eye). Which is why I finally settled on this As...minted in 147/148 AD by his father Antoninus Pius. Marcus is depicted here as a youthful 27 year old Caesar. Aurelius' later coins (as emperor) tend to lean a bit further in the direction of caricature, exaggerating the prominent features of the face. The eye in particular begins to enlarge and take on a shape that is more indicative of a front view rather than the eye in profile. Obverse: the emperor facing right, AVRELIUS CAESAR AVG P ll F. Reverse: the goddess Fides, facing left, holding ears of grain and a basket of fruit, TR POT lll COS ll. 27mm, 13.68 grams. Pleased to finally have an Aurelius in the fold. Now...time to choose my next target! Edited by circusmax120
04/27/2023 2:45 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Congratulations on finding your Aurelius, Mike. The coin has a really nice portrait of the younger Aurelius, and a nicely detailed reverse too. As you say, it ticked all the boxes and you can't ask for better than that.  What might your next target be? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2213 Posts |
Very nice Marcus A. I have of few Roman Provincials of him, more wear.
Edited by livingwater
04/27/2023 10:48 pm
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Valued Member
 United States
319 Posts |
Quote:
I have of few Roman Provincials of him, more wear. Would enjoy seeing them, livingwater. Feel free to share! Quote:
What might your next target be? I'm leaning towards Septimius Severus, Jim. Although I am always on the lookout for a nice Tiberius. Plus...who knows what kind of 'wonderful' might catch my eye! Edited by circusmax120
04/28/2023 10:30 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2213 Posts |
Here's my Marcus Aurelius. They are more worn than yours. I used to collect Roman Provincials from cities mentioned in the Bible, cities St. Paul visited. But I stopped buying them a few years ago and switched to buying modern bullion/bars for stacking. I still like my ancients and will keep them. 1. Amphipolis, Macedon, Tyche seated 24mm, RPC IV 3526 online, four cited 2. Perga, Pamphylia, Artemis, 19mm, RPC IV 11027 online, one cited 3. Colossae, Phrygia, Athena, 24mm, RPC IV 1877 online this coin shown, two cited 4. Derbe, Lycaonia, Dionysos, panther seated, 24mm, RPC IV 7238 online this coin shown, two cited The Perge, Colossae and Derbe are rare, but there may be a few more in private collections that haven't been reported to RPC. I haven't got around to reporting the Amphipolis or Perga to RPC and a few others I have. They started excavating Derbe in 2014 but I haven't seen any updates about it.     Edited by livingwater
04/28/2023 08:43 am
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
All quite nice provincial specimens, livingwater. Especially numbers 2 and 4, for those interesting portraits. Well worth holding onto.
During my search, I did see a number of provincial varieties with realistic elements to the portraiture. In particular, the proportions. In usual cases, however, the specimens exhibited too much wear on the portrait. Which only indicates how popular the coins were for everyday use. The hunt for an inspirational Aurelius was grueling...but fun nonetheless!
I appreciate you sharing your own inspiration, livingwater!
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
I am beginning to see a pattern forming in my acquisition process. The focus on portraiture...on a particular level of realism...seems to have evolved into a hunt for the work of singular artists. That reasonably rare portrait artist who creates a truly remarkable die image. I guess this is what I mean when I say a specific coin "speaks to me". I literally look at many hundreds of examples of "target" coins before I'm able to find that singular specimen that inspires me. Such it was with this fine Aurelian. Many months of searching and sifting. At times, it almost seemed to me that I would not find one. Very, very gratifying when lightning finally strikes!
There is also what I call the "collateral effect", where my search turns up a marvelous portrait outside my target-search. A good example is the As of Faustina the Younger, wife of Marcus Aurelius (see 'Faustina the Younger: Mother of the Camp'. Posted 02-16-2023). She was not a target, but the coin simply jumped off the screen! This kind of 'wandering eye' has resulted in several unplanned, unexpected acquisitions. I am sure it will happen again!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4959 Posts |
Nice looking As circus max, good details and a pleasing patina. Portrait looks great, I'm still hunting for a good MA portrait coin myself. Several years ago I picked this up out of bargain bin, it is a worn sestertius of MA as caesar. Not great, but I l nice in hand at over 30 mm and over 20 g. It feels better than it looks.  Marcus Aurelius. Sestertius. 145 AD. O AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F, bare head right R: TR POT COS II S-C, Minerva standing right, holding spear and resting hand on shield. RIC 1248 (Ant. Pius); Cohen 596; Sear 4811. Rome mint. 32 mm, 21.7 g. |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Pretty nice for a bargain-bin coin, chrsmat71. Your Aurelius has a solid portrait. I can still see realism expressed even through the wear. Aurelius as Caesar tends to offer the best portrait in terms of realism.
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Great looking coin Mike!
I know this Emperor has been a tough one to find.
Well centred and a super portrait!
Congrats on this lovely addition.
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
I appreciate all the encouragement and support I received during my search, Paul. This was indeed a tough one...and it isn't likely to get any easier as I continue to look for the unusually realistic portrait on these coins. I am still finding the occasional unexpected surprise. Like the follis of Maximianus I recently found (see post 05-03). Finding that exceptional portrait can be very, very challenging...but the payoff can be awesome!
Nice to have you back from your adventuring, Paul!
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,750 |
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Posted 04/27/2023 10:47 pm
