3198

Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180. Gold Aureus (7.13 g) minted at Rome, c. AD 145-147 while Caesar under A

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180. Gold Aureus (7.13 g) minted at Rome, c. AD 145-147 while Caesar under A
Marcus Aurelius, AD 161-180. Gold Aureus (7.13 g) minted at Rome, c. AD 145-147 while Caesar under Antoninus Pius. Bare head right of Marcus Aurelius. Reverse: Hilaritas standing left, holding palm and cornucopiae. RIC 432(a); BMC 606; C. 233. Boldly struck in high relief; underlying luster. Superb Extremely Fine. .

The present cataloguer had the good fortune of appraising the ancient coins collected by the Garretts, kept secure deep in the bowels of a bank vault, overseen by the trustees of Johns Hopkins University. All the coins, whether U.S. double eagles or ancient shekels, reposed in large trays. When another layer was removed for examination, whether thalers or proof three-dollar pieces, fresh lighting made these treasures shine and display their magnificence.

The thrill of holding each of the Roman aurei (including this coin) or the two Brasher doubloons (for which Mr. Garrett paid the sumptuous amount of two to three thousand dollars each in the early twenties) still causes disbelief. Such a magnificent grouping! Remembered most of all is our time with the dear lady who was the Garretts' personal librarian (Mr. Garrett was also a bibliophile). She showed us a full folio set of The Birds by Audubon, several early folios of Shakespeare, and later in the day, we took a personal tour of the Garrett manse. What a week! We failed miserably in our estimations of the coins. Most realized multiples of our fair (at the time) appraisals .
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.

Provenance: Ex Garrett Collection (Leu-NFA, 16 V 84, lot 808); Elsen 26 (1992), lot 760.