Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Aurelian
272, issued by Aurelian
- Medium
- Gold
- Classification
- Coin
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.1 cm (7/8 in.)
- Culture
- Rome
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
- Credit line
- Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Teens profiles and older: its subject is for older viewers (war, death, the Passion, drink or the like). How works are placed
View at the Art Institute of Chicago
About this work
On the front (obverse) of this coin is a portrait of Roman Emperor Aurelian facing to the right. He is laureate, cuirassed, and has an aegis over his left shoulder. On the back (reverse) is a rearing lion rears facing left, radiate, and carrying a thunderbolt in his mouth.
Portraits of important people appear on local currency all around the world. The same was true in ancient Rome, which began producing its first coinage in the late 4th century BC. Early coins depicted the heads of gods and goddesses on the front side, often in profile, while the back depicted animals, natural resources, symbols, and references to historical events. It was not until 44 BCE that the portrait of a living person—Julius Caesar— appeared on coins. Thereafter, profile portraits of rulers or other members of the imperial family became the standard subject on coins throughout the Roman Empire.
Inscriptions on coins help identify the ruler. While the front side depicted the sovereign’s portrait, the back was often used to communicate the ruler’s accomplishments or aspirations. Until Late Antiquity, portraits usually appeared in profile. The tiny images were carved by engravers into bronze dies, with…
Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0
