Vota Pvblica Ceremonies

CNG 106, Lot: 768. Estimate $20000. Sold for $20100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ Medallion (41mm, 69.04 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 166–167. M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate and cuirassed bust right / Marcus standing left, wearing toga which is drawn up to cover his head, sacrificing over tripod; to left, victimarius about to strike bull and a child holding a simpulum; in background, hexastyle temple and three attendants, one playing double flute; TR P XXI IMP IIII/ COS III in exergue. Gnecchi 51, pl. 63, 2 (same dies); MIR 18, 1034-1/35; Banti 472. Good VF, green patina, light natural roughness, faint old scratch before portrait. Extremely rare, three recorded by Gnecchi.

This solemn and well-balanced scene alludes to the ceremonies in observance of the vota publica.