Ave!

Syria, Cyrrhus, Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, Zeus the Protector Reverse

Cyrrhus Mint, ca. 147-161 AD  -  Struck under Antoninus Pius as Augustus.

Æ 24mm/12.2gm

Con/ Struck slightly off-center on each side, otherwise, Very Fine. Crisp portrait of Aurelius, near complete legends, beautiful black and red patina. An excellent example of this scarce issue!

Obv/ ΑΥΡΗΛΙΟ? ΟΥΗΡΟ? ?ΕΒ ΕΥ?ΕΒ ΥΙΟ?; laureate head of Marcus Aurelius with short beard, right.

Rev/ ΔΙΟ? ΚΑΤΑΙΒΑΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΡΗ?ΤωΝ, A (in r. field); Zeus Kataibates seated on rock, left, holding thunderbolt over eagle and long scepter.

Ref/ BMC 12 M Aurelius

Seller's Note/ Zeus Kataibates was the protector of the Oikos (the religious life of the household) from lightning and thunderbolts! In ancient times, monuments and altars to Zeus Kataibates were erected on the site of lightning strikes. In typical household worship, similar altars were dedicated to the God in the courtyard.