The obverse of this aureus features a portrait of Marcus Aurelius with a mature, almost serene look, a head of voluminous curls, fully bearded (typical of the Antonine period), and eyes looking upwards, almost beyond the present world. This may in part allude to Marcus Aurelius’ philosophical identity, for he was a scholar, poet, and Stoic. The legend acclaims the emperor’s military achievements, however. It is interesting that Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations of an internal struggle with his obligations to warfare as emperor and his contrasting Stoic convictions pertaining to the Good. However, as the reverse of this coin illustrates, Marcus Aurelius persevered on behalf of Rome, and he is personally celebrated as the victor, winning back Armenia from the Parthians. KHK.