Two Different Issues from the Same Obverse Die

CNG 111, Lot: 717. Estimate $6000. Sold for $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.30 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, AD 158-159. ΛVRELIVS CΛES ΛVG P II F, bareheaded bust right, slight drapery / TR POT XIII C OS II, Virtus, helmeted, in military dress, with cloak, standing right, left foot set on helmet, holding reversed vertical spear in right hand and parazonium upright in left. RIC III 480a (Pius) var. (no slight drapery); Calicó 1970 var. (same); BMCRE 962 (Pius) var. (same), pl. 21, 10 (same obv. die); Biaggi 892 var. (bust type – same rev. die); Jameson –; Mazzini 747v.* (same dies). Near EF, underlying luster. Very rare with this bust type.