Æ32 - Marcus Aurelius L Β

Year two of Marcus Aurelius's reign — the regnal date this coin carries — fell immediately after his accession following the death of Antoninus Pius in March 161. Uniquely, Marcus refused sole rule and insisted on elevating Lucius Verus as co-emperor, the first time Rome had operated under two equal Augusti simultaneously. Alexandria's mint responded quickly, producing parallel issues for both rulers within the same regnal year.

Egyptian provincial bronzes of this size were struck to serve local commerce under a closed currency system that barred standard Roman coinage from circulating in the province.