Marcus Aurelius Cufflinks — Two Moments in a Reign
$1,850.00
Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
Carefully set by hand
Featured in The New York Times
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Pairs well with
Two authentic Roman silver denarii of Marcus Aurelius, struck roughly twenty-five years apart and handcrafted into a pair of sterling silver cufflinks. What makes this pair particularly interesting is that the coins show Marcus Aurelius at two very different points in his life.
The History
The first was struck in Rome in AD 152–153, while Marcus was still Caesar and heir to Antoninus Pius. His portrait appears bare-headed, without the laurel wreath associated with imperial rule.
On the reverse stands the Genius Exercitus, the personification of the Roman army. He holds an aquila—the legionary eagle—and pours an offering from a patera over a lighted altar.
The second denarius was struck in Rome in AD 177–178, more than two decades later. Marcus is now emperor, shown wearing the laurel wreath. On the reverse is Mars, the Roman god of war, standing with spear and shield.
Worn together, the two coins create an unusual portrait of a single Roman life: Marcus Aurelius before the throne and Marcus Aurelius near the end of his reign.
Each denarius is an authentic ancient coin rather than a reproduction. I have individually fitted them into handcrafted sterling silver settings designed around the irregular edges of the original coins.
Because the coins were struck by hand nearly 1,850 years ago, their differences in shape, surface and portrait are part of the pair.
What’s Included
Authentic Marcus Aurelius denarii set in sterling silver
Certificate of authenticity with coin history
Red velvet presentation box
Polishing cloth and care instructions
Free insured U.S. shipping, worldwide shipping available
The Coins
Marcus Aurelius as Caesar
Roman Empire, Rome, AD 152–153
Silver denarius
Obverse: Bare head of Marcus Aurelius right
Reverse: Genius Exercitus standing left, holding aquila and sacrificing from a patera over a lighted altar
Marcus Aurelius as Emperor
Roman Empire, Rome, AD 177–178
Silver denarius
Obverse: Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right
Reverse: Mars standing right, holding spear and shield set on the ground
Silver denarius
Obverse: Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right
Reverse: Mars standing right, holding spear and shield set on the ground
Marcus Aurelius Cufflinks — Two Moments in a Reign
$1,850.00
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Testimonials
My four daughters absolutely LOVED them! Your work is excellent and the pendants look great- Thank you!
— Eva S.
Thank you for making this spectacular necklace! I provided the denarius of Julia Domna, and they did the rest. I was delighted with the results - and so (more importantly) was my girlfriend.
— Garrett Ryan from Toldinstone
Got the ring today! Love it!
— Margaret B.
The Athenian Owl pendants are awesome! We're saving the gift for a special occasion. My wife loved it, she got it and was all hushed quiet, that smile while opening and handling it for the first few minutes. It's special.
— Joe E.
OMG the coin. It’s sooo gorgeous. I love it so so so so much. Thank you for keeping me in mind and finding this piece of perfection for me.
— Cecilia A.
Curated Classics. History in Every Piece
FAQs
Are all coins authentic?
Yes! All coins are genuine, not replicas. Fakes are rare because good forgeries take too much effort for low-value coins, and bad ones are easy to spot.
Where are your coins bought?
Mostly from reputable ancient coin auctions in Europe and the USA, plus private collections.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we proudly ship worldwide. Shipping options and times vary by country - you’ll see available methods at checkout.
Can I send you my own coin to make a pendant?
Absolutely! We love turning personal coins into wearable pieces. Just email us at info@peregrinependants.com to discuss your custom order.
What if my pendant needs repair?
If your pendant ever needs repair or resizing, contact us - we’re happy to help keep your piece in top shape.
