Sestertius - Marcus Aurelius (IMP VI COS III S C RELIG AVG; Mercury)

Issuer Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)

Type Standard circulation coins

Mints Rome

Obverse

Bust of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right.

Lettering: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII

Reverse

Statue of Mercury, wearing petasus and short robe, standing front, head left, on base, holding purse in right hand and caduceus in left hand, within a tetrastyle temple; columns are telamons; the pediment is semicircular and contains, from left to right, tortoise, cock, ram, petasus, winged caduceus, and purse.

Lettering: IMP VI COS III S C RELIG AVG

Basic Information

Category Coin

Ruler Marcus Aurelius (Wikidata) (Nomisma)

Technique Hammered

Orientation variable

Demonetization Yes

Face Value 1 Sestertius (Numeric: 0.25) (Fraction: 1/4)

References

RIC III #1074

OCRE #ric.3.m_aur.1074

Physical Characteristics

Composition Bronze

Weight 24 g

Size 32.5 mm

Shape Round (irregular)

Technical Details

Obverse Lettering

M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII

Reverse Lettering

IMP VI COS III S C RELIG AVG

Comments

Mass varies: 20.83–27.64 g; Diameter varies: 32–33 mm; Example of this type: American Numismatic Society (ANS) Source: Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)