Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 26.27 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, AD 140-144. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 795. Estimated: $ 750

Roman Imperial, Bronze, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 1 800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 26.27 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Antoninus Pius, AD 140-144. Bare head right / Emblems of the pontificate: secespita, aspergillum, guttus, lituus, and simpulum. RIC III 1234a (Pius); Banti 230. Attractive, mottled green and brown patina. Near EF. Portrait of artistic merit.

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 124 (19 September 2023), lot 655; Jonathan K. Kern Collection.

Struck between 140-144 AD, while Marcus Aurelius was Caesar, the reverse of this coin dwells on the responsibilities of the Pontifex Maximus, leader of the four great Roman priesthoods and the most prominent and influential of priests within the Roman Empire. Originally a position chosen by popular vote, it wasn’t until the reign of Augustus that the role of Pontifex Maximus was merged with the other priesthoods to become a position held by the reigning emperor. The two main priestly colleges were those of the Augurate and Pontificate, whose emblems are displayed on the reverse we see here. The sacrificial knife or secespita, used for opening the body of the sacrificial victim, the aspergillum, used for sprinkling either blood or water. The guttus, a sacrificial jug with a narrow neck from which liquid could be poured in drops, the lituus, a distinctively crooked staff used by augurs for the divination of the heavens and finally, the simpulum, a small vessel, or ladle with a long handle used at sacrifices to make libations or for pouring onto the head of the sacrificial victims. All of these emblems would have been highly symbolic, signifying the immense power the Pontifex Maximus held, as such they formed part of a commonly used motif, frequently employed by emperors during the early imperial period.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Three – Lot 588-888 will be held Tuesday morning, 19 May 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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