259, Lot: 257. Estimate $100. Sold for $320. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Decapolis. Abila. Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ (29mm, 15.11 g, 12h). Dated CY 225 (AD 161/2) or, more likely, CY 226 (AD 162/3). Laureate and cuirassed bust right / Within a distlye shrine a figure off Tyche standing right, being crowned by Nike flying right; on either side of her, small figure on columns, extending arm; in exergue, EKC (or ς·KC?; date). Cf. Spijkerman 1; SNG ANS -. VF, dark green patina.

The dates on the specimens illustrated in both Spijkerman and the on-line RPC IV database are not very clear, nor is the date on this coin. However, it is sufficiently legible to readily tell that it is not lunate as is the E in the legend above it. This suggests that it is actually the Greek numeral ς (6), and that the date should be read as 226 (AD 162/3). Other coins of both Aurelius and Verus are known dated 226, and have the form ς·KC.