Triton XXI, Lot: 173. Estimate $750. Sold for $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. BI Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.74 g, 12h). Dated RY 3 (AD 162/163). Μ AVΡΗΛΙΟC ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC C Є, laureate bust right, slight drapery / Ares (Mars) standing left, holding spear with his right hand and parazonium with left, right foot on cuirass; shield before; L Γ (date) across field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 9156 (this coin); K&G 37.145 var. (obv. bust type); Emmett 2047.3 (R4); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 173 (this coin). Near EF, toned. Very rare, nice metal, and well centered on a large flan.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection. Ex Münz Zentrum 29 (27 April 1977), lot 166; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 9156.

Giovanni notes in his book that the elegant figure of Ares on the reverse is related to the first victories of the Roman army engaged in the war in Syria, Armenia, and Parthia to safeguard the eastern borders of the Empire.