Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 7 23-24 Feb 2019
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PISIDIA. Antiochia (?). Lucius Verus, 161-169. 'Dupondius' (Bronze, 25 mm, 5.51 g, 1 h). [L AVR]ELIVS CAISA (sic!) Bare-headed and draped bust of Lucius Verus to right, seen from behind. Rev. A [..] A•ANTONEIN[...] / A T Lucius Verus (or Marcus Aurelius?) on horseback to right, holding spear. Cf. RPC IV online 3563 (same obverse die, but differing reverse legend arrangement). Extremely rare. An interesting and enigmatic issue. Very fine.
Based on the Latin obverse legend, the authors of RPC IV online attribute this enigmatic issue to Antiochia in Pisidia, but the reverse legend was obscure on all examples known at the time. Our coin reveals that the issue does not bear an ethnic but names an imperial figure on the reverse - presumably Lucius Verus or Marcus Aurelius - but the unusual legend arrangement and the fact that some of the letters are quite clumsy and/or obscured prevent a full reading, which leaves the enigma yet unresolved.
Based on the Latin obverse legend, the authors of RPC IV online attribute this enigmatic issue to Antiochia in Pisidia, but the reverse legend was obscure on all examples known at the time. Our coin reveals that the issue does not bear an ethnic but names an imperial figure on the reverse - presumably Lucius Verus or Marcus Aurelius - but the unusual legend arrangement and the fact that some of the letters are quite clumsy and/or obscured prevent a full reading, which leaves the enigma yet unresolved.