Lot 124
Antoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar. Æ Medallion 67 mm. (176 g), AD 138-161. Rome, ca. AD 140-141. ANTONINVS AVG PI-VS P P TR P COS IIII, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right. Reverse: AVRELIVS CAES AVG PII F COS, Bare head of Marcus Aurelius right. Cf. Gnecchi II p. 23, 3 (…COS III). Possibly unique. Uniform hard apple-green patina. All original with virtually no wear or imperfections. A magnificent piece! Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $30,000 - UP
This remarkable bronze medallion features a beautiful large linear frame surrounding a central type depicting the portraits and titulature of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius as his Caesar, a post held by the latter from AD 138 to 161. The types and inscriptions are very similar to those found on double portrait aurei and denarii struck to celebrate the assumption of the third and first consulships (COS III and COS) by Pius and Aurelius, respectively, in AD 140 (see RIC 415). This relationship to the precious metal coinage sets the medallion apart from the contemporary double portrait aes issues (RIC 1211-1221, which always feature a laureate or radiate image of Antoninus Pius, thereby placing it in a special class distinct from the regular coinage.
The medallion is also notable for its unexpected deviation from the titulature of the AD 140 issues. Here Antoninus Pius is identified as holding his fourth consulship (COS IIII), which only took place in AD 145, while Aurelius is still indicated as holding his first (COS), although it is known that he assumed his second consulship (COS II) at the same time that Pius took up his fourth. This incongruity may be explained by the production of the medallion from an improper die combination. Such hybrids are known for the regular coinage of Antoninus Pius, such as RIC 123, an aureus combining an obverse type dated COS III (AD 140) and a reverse dated COS IIII (AD 145). Numerous other, but less closely dateable, hybrids are known for the reign Antoninus Pius (e.g., RIC 408-410, 492, 518, 1201-1203), suggesting that the mismatching of dies was a special problem for the Roman mint administration under that emperor.
Medallions like this were most likely produced for distribution to important individuals to celebrate and commemorate the assumption of the consular dignity by the emperors. This took place on 1 January and marked the Roman New Year, an occasion that involved public and private distributions and exchanges of presents (strenae) that regularly included coins and medallions.
As a means of establishing an orderly succession, Hadrian arranged for Antoninus Pius to adopt Marcus Aurelius as his son, although the latter seems to have been unhappy about this and the requirement that he move into the imperial palace. After the death of Hadrian on 10 July AD 138, Antoninus Pius, named Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his Caesars, his junior co-emperors and designated heirs, and arranged the betrothal of Marcus Aurelius to his daughter, Faustina the Younger. Under Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius was heaped with titles and extraordinary privileges and trained in the difficult work of administration. He was named princeps iuventutis, a title carried by designated imperial heirs, made a member of all the priestly colleges, served as quaestor, and held the consulship with Antoninus Pius twice. Although Marcus Aurelius is said to have complained about the paperwork involved in administering the Roman Empire and did not appreciate the pomp of the imperial lifestyle, by the time he succeeded when Antoninus Pius died in AD 161, he was well prepared to take up the mantle of his adopted father.
From a private Swiss Collection. To the best of our knowledge, never before offered publicly.
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