MARCUS AURELIUS COIN PENDANT
MARCUS AURELIUS COIN PENDANT
Roman Imperial Period, 161-180 CE
This pendant features a Roman denarius bearing the portrait of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (121-180 CE), the last of Rome's "Five Good Emperors." Known equally for his military leadership and philosophical writings, Marcus Aurelius ruled during one of the most challenging periods in Roman history.
While campaigning on the Danube frontier between 170-180 CE, the emperor composed his personal reflections in Greek, later published as the Meditations. This Stoic masterwork explores themes of duty, virtue, and finding inner peace amid external turmoil—wisdom born from the pressures of leading an empire under siege.
Roman coins like this served not only as currency but as imperial propaganda, spreading the emperor's image throughout the vast territories under Roman control. The portrait typically shows Marcus Aurelius with his characteristic beard and thoughtful expression, befitting a philosopher-emperor.
Modern Setting: Sterling silver Provenance: Private collection