Auction 75 · Lot 294
Denomination: Denarius.
Denomination: Denarius
- Estimate
- $500–$750
- Hammer price
- Not recorded
Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.
author
SILVER COIN OF MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS.
summary
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (121-180 CE) was Roman emperor from 161-180. His mother saved the life of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and family after they illegally made a bris for their son Yehudah HaNassi (see Tosfos Avodah Zara f. 10b). Yehudah HaNassi and Antoninus became close friends (see Encyclopedia LeChachmei HaTalmud VehaGeonim Vol. 2 p.178). In fact, the Gemora asserts that the Jewish Nation had no better time under Roman rule than in the era of Antoninus. The Emperor's appreciation of R. Yehudah HaNassi took the form of the finest gifts, tracts of land (Yer. Sheb. vi. 36d), even sacks of gold (Ab. Zarah, 10b).