IONIA, League of Thirteen Cities. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Medallion (38mm, 36.27 g, 12h). Marcus Claudius Fronto, asiarch of the Koinon of Asia and archierus of the Koinon of the Thirteen Cities. Struck circa AD 140-144. Good Fine.

Electronic Auction 599
Lot: 406. Estimated: $ 200

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 325. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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IONIA, League of Thirteen Cities. Marcus Aurelius. As Caesar, AD 139-161. Æ Medallion (38mm, 36.27 g, 12h). Marcus Claudius Fronto, asiarch of the Koinon of Asia and archierus of the Koinon of the Thirteen Cities. Struck circa AD 140-144. Bareheaded and draped bust left, seen from behind / Hexastyle temple with domed pediment; within, statue of Kore of Sardis facing, veiled and wearing tall crown surmounted by crescent. Gillespie 29; RPC IV.2 Online 953. Brown patina with earthen highlights, scratches, reverse roughness, chipped patina. Good Fine. Extremely rare, only two recorded in RPC.

From the David Chapman Collection.

The League of Thirteen Cities of Ionia, like other provincial koina, was a federated commonwealth, whose members were allied to one another around a central administrative figure. Often, such leagues were rooted in political and defensive needs, or as in the case of the League of Thirteen Cities of Ionia, an amphictiony. This league can trace its origins back to mid-7th century BC, when it was formed following the Meliac War. Composed of the twelve Ionic Greek poleis, it was known as the Panionic League. After 650 BC, Smyrna joined, making the number of cities thirteen – an arrangement which remained until its final dissolution in the Roman period. As the League was amphictionc, its administration centered around a particular regional cult center; the League’s officer also acted as high priest of the temple. Following the absorption of Ionia into the Province of Asia under the Romans, the Asiarch also served as League’s main officer and high priest of the temple.

Closing Date and Time: 12 November 2025 at 12:15:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.