Egypt. Alexandria. Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, 139-161. Diobol (Bronze, 23.9 mm, 10.98 g). Dated RY 12 of Antoninus Pius (= 148/9). Μ ΑΥΡΗΛΙϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ Bareheaded and draped bust right. Rev. L ΔωΔƐΚΑΤΟV (date) Elpis advancing left, holding flower and lifting hem of skirt. Dattari 3200. RPC IV.4, 1143.6 (this coin cited). Geissen 1911. Mionnet 1995. Emmett 1909. Vogt II/76. Brown patina, minor roughness. Very Fine. Ex Italo Vecchi, London, 1982. The small well-minted bronze obol of Marcus Aurelius, always as Caesar, makes us admire its vivid "desert" brick-coloured original patina. The nude head, in high relief, of the heir to the throne stands out on obverse while on reverse is Elpis, the bearer of peace and harmony. Coin cited by RPC IV.4, 1143.