Marcus Aurelius Denarius Pendant

Obverse: Portrait of Marcus Aurelius
Reverse: funeral pyre of four tiers, garlanded and adorned with statues
Coin: Silver Denarius
Date: 140-180 A.D.
Bezel: 14k Gold
Weight:  4.0 grams
Diameter: 19 mm / .74 in

Description

This item is an authentic Roman silver Denarius depicting Marcus Aurelius, placed in a handmade bezel of 14 karat gold. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos. 

History of the Artifact

Marcus Aurelius was the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD. In this period, Marcus Aurelius dedicated his time as Emperor defending the borders of the Roman Empire, carrying the armies of Rome to victory against the warring Parthians and Germanic tribes. Marcus Aurelius was not just a great warrior, but also a keen observer and introspective thinker whose experiences as Emperor inspired his most notable work ‘Meditations’ - an indispensable contribution to Stoic thought. His works have been widely cited over the centuries by writers, philosophers, monarchs, and politicians alike. He remains today a source of inspiration to millions who draw inspiration from his work to face life’s harrowing challenges.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

You will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

Imperial Roman denarii are common on the antiquities market because they were minted in enormous quantities throughout the first three centuries AD and circulated widely across the Roman Empire. Emperors used these silver coins to pay the army, fund public projects, and stabilize the economy, which led to a constant output from the imperial mints. Their silver content and durable design helped many of them survive in good condition, even after being buried for centuries.

These coins are frequently found in former Roman provinces, particularly in areas like the Balkans, Britain, France, and the Near East, where hoards were buried and forgotten during times of conflict or upheaval. In modern times, thousands have been uncovered through metal detecting and excavations, and many entered the collector market during periods of looser regulation in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because of their abundance and historical appeal, imperial denarii remain among the most available and popular ancient coins to own.