Roman Dupondius Coin

Inv. No.: c114
Date: A.D. 171(Dec.)-172 or 172(Dec.)-173.
Weight: 13.34g
 
Obv.: M. Aurelius, radiate.
M.ANTONINVS AVG.TR.P.XXVI (OR XXVII)

Rev.: Germany seated at foot of trophy, surrounded by arms.
GERMANIA SVBACTA IMP.VI COS.III S.C.

As the obverse legend is partly obliterated, dating is uncertain. SVBACTA, “tamed, subjugated, brought under”, is a stronger word than the neutral uicta, “conquered, overcome”. Waging war must have been distasteful to Aurelius, a scholar, philosopher and moralist. It is perhaps, therefore, one measure of his greatness that his campaigns were so successful. The portrait, compared with that of coin 109, shows signs of age and tiredness.

Comparanda:
RIC, M. Aurelius 1025 or 1052.