Antoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, 138-161. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 34 mm, 27.20 g, 1 h), Rome, 140. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III Laureate head of Antoninus Pius to right. Rev. AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII F COS / S C Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius to left, seen from behind. BMC -, cf. 1215 (bust of Marcus Aurelius draped only). Cohen -, cf. 37 (bust draped only). RIC -, cf. 1215 (bust draped only). Extremely rare with this bust type for Marcus Aurelius. A beautiful example with very attractive surfaces and two excellent portraits. Very light pitting on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.



This impressive dynastic sestertius, struck in the early years of Antoninus Pius, presents on its reverse the young Marcus Aurelius, a clear statement of the intended succession. After the death of Aelius in 138, Hadrian adopted Antoninus Pius on the condition that he in turn adopt both Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. Under Pius, however, Marcus was steadily brought to the fore, and his appearance on the early coinage made his precedence visible to the Roman people and the army.

The coin also reflects the exceptionally close relationship between Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, whose long association helped shape Marcus as heir. In retrospect, this preference proved momentous: the peaceful reign of Pius prepared the way for the accession of Marcus Aurelius, later remembered as the philosopher-emperor.