Marcus Aurelius, As, RIC 1247
At the recent Harrogate coin fair I found this
“middle bronze” in a pick box. This as, dating to the last three months of
Marcus Aurelius’ life, has on the reverse the wolf and twins set within a shrine.
Located at south-western corner of the Palatine
was a cave that was traditionally the lair of the wolf that suckled Romulus and
Remus. It was made into a shrine containing a statue of the wolf and twins, the
Lupercal, and that is the monument depicted on this coin.
The decorated grotto under the Domus Livia
