Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1492. Estimate $15000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $9500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MARCUS AURELIUS and LUCIUS VERUS. 161-169 AD. Æ Medallion (38mm, 42.90 mm, 11h). Struck 161 AD. IMP ANTONINVS AVG COS III upward on left, IMP VERVS AVG COS II downward on right, confronted bare heads of Aurelius, right, and Verus, left / Aurelius and Verus, as the Dioscuri, standing confronted, each holding spear and leading horse by its rein. Gnecchi 6, pl. 71, 6 = MIR 1008-1/30-30; Grueber -; Froehner -; Tocci -; Dressel -; Toynbee -; cf. Banti 8. VF, dark green and red-brown patina, very light smoothing. Extremely rare, only one example recorded (in Berlin). ($15,000)

In Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were the twin sons of Zeus and Leda. When Castor was killed, Pollux begged that he be taken instead. In return for his noble sacrifice, Zeus granted Pollux immortality, a gift which was later given also to Castor. Now known as the Dioscuri, or "sons of Zeus," these young gods became widely popular as protectors in a moment of crisis. At Lake Regillus in 496 BC, as the infant Roman Republic was struggling for existence against Tarquinius Superbus, the former king, and his allies, legend says two able, but unknown horsemen helped the losing Roman troops to victory. Immediately afterwards these same young men were seen in the Roman Forum watering their horses. Identified as the Dioscuri a temple was built on the spot to honor them and they became Rome's protectors.

Although Szaivert assigns this medallion tentatively to circa 163 AD, the assumption of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus to the imperial throne in 161 AD would have provided the perfect opportunity to use the Dioscuri as a reverse type. The divinely-inspired dynastic arrangement instituted by the Divus Hadrian and implemented by the Divus Antoninus provided a peaceful transfer of power to "twin" emperors. The examples of earlier, more tumultuous imperial successions would have heightened the sense that the state, in a critical moment, had been saved by the new emperors. This peaceful transition, then, would have offered a perfect opportunity for celebrating Rome's divine protectors.