coin

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Object Type: coin
Museum number: 1872,0709.684
Denomination: sestertius
Description: Copper alloy coin. (whole); Head of Marcus Aurelius, laureate, right. (obverse); Front view of temple with four columns and four steps; in the centre is a statue of Mercury on a pedestal holding a purse and a caduceus; in the semicircular pediment are attributes of Mercury (a tortoise, a cock, a ram, a petasus, a winged caduceus and a purse). (reverse)
State: Associated with: Roman Empire Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority: Ruler: Marcus Aurelius
Cultures/periods: Roman Imperial
Production date: 172-173
Production place: Minted in: Rome (city)
Materials: copper alloy
Dimensions: Die-axis: 6 o'clock; Weight: 22.91 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments: This sestertius carries an elaborate image of Mercury in his shrine, as the 'religion of the emperor' in gratitude for a rain miracle in battle. The rain was reportedly invoked by Arnuphis, an Egyptian seer; this shrine is sometimes seen as appropriately Egyptian in its architectural style.
Bibliographic references: RE4 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol.IV: Antoninus Pius to Commodus. Introduction, indexes and plates. (1441, p.628); RIC3 / The Roman imperial coinage, vol. 3: Antoninus Pius to Commodus (1075, p.299) (var.)
Location: Not on display
Subjects: emperor/empress; shrine; temple; sculpture; classical deity
Associated names: Named in inscription & portrayed: Marcus Aurelius; Representation of: Hermes/Mercury
Acquisition name: Purchased from: Rollin & Feuardent
Previous owner: Previous owner/ex-collection: Edward Wigan
Acquisition date: 1872
Department: Money and Medals
Registration number: 1872,0709.684
C&M catalogue number: RE4 (628) (1441)

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