Silver denarius of Marcus Aurelius (AD 161–180), struck at the Rome mint in AD 166, belongs to issues produced immediately following the conclusion of the Parthian campaigns, conducted jointly with Lucius Verus. These events are well documented in ancient sources, notably by Cassius Dio, and resulted in significant Roman successes in the East, including the capture of key centers in Mesopotamia.
The obverse presents the laureate head of the emperor facing right with the legend M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, containing an expanded victory titulature. It includes the titles Armeniacus and Parthicus Maximus, adopted after victories in Armenia and over the Parthians. This form of titulature appears in imperial coinage in the mid-160s AD and serves as an important chronological marker for issues struck in the immediate aftermath of the Parthian War.
The reverse depicts the personification Pax standing left, holding an olive branch and a cornucopia, with the legend TR P XX IMP IIII COS III, and additionally the inscription PAX in the exergue. The designation TR P XX refers to the twentieth tribunician power of Marcus Aurelius, allowing the issue to be dated to AD 166, while IMP IIII records his fourth acclamation as imperator. In Roman numismatic iconography, Pax symbolized peace and stability, and her attributes emphasize the idea of prosperity following the successful conclusion of military operations.
Attractive patina.
Minor scratches.
Roman Imperial
Marcus Aurelius (161-180), Denarius 166, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head right
M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
Reverse: Pax standing left, holding branch and cornucopiae
TR P XX IMP IIII COS III
Diameter 19 mm, weight 3.07 g
