Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, Bare head of Antoninus Pius facing right.

Reverse: AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII COS, Bare-headed and draped bust of Marcus Aurelius facing right.

RIC: 415c. Sear: 4523. BMCRE: 148. [Rome, AD 140].

Diameter: 18 mm. Weight: 3.1 g.

A scarce dynastic silver denarius of Antoninus Pius and his adopted successor Marcus Aurelius. The young Aurelius was adopted by Antoninus on the direction of Hadrian, just prior to the former’s accession to the imperial throne in AD 138. The following year Aurelius was elevated to the rank of Caesar; in AD 145 he was married to Antoninus' daughter, Faustina Junior. A very beautiful silver denarius, struck on a full flan, excellent detail and attractive old cabinet toning.