1995, private collection; July 5, 1995, anonymous (private collection) sale, Sotheby’s, London, lot 154. 2002, private collection, Europe; December 5, 2002, anonymous sale (Auction 24; “property of a European Nobleman”), Numismatica Ars Classica, Zürich, lot 176. 2002 or 2003, purchased by Michael C. Ruettgers, Carlisle, MA; 2009: gift of Michael C. Ruettgers to the MFA (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The date and circumstances of the coin’s discovery are not known. Gold coins of this type, while struck at Rome, circulated widely and have been found within the present-day borders of many countries. Per the MFA’s 2006 agreement with the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Museum contacted Ministry representatives prior to acquiring the coin; the Ministry raised no objection to the acquisition.

PUBLISHED REFERENCES: X. Calicò, The Roman Aurei (Barcelona, 2003), p. 583, no. 3290.