Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 4 25 May 2019
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Lucius Verus, 161-169. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.13 g, 5 h), Rome, 163. •L•VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Lucius Verus to right, seen from behind. Rev. TR P III•IMP II COS II / ARMEN Armenia, wearing pointed cap, seated left in attitude of mourning, propping her head on her right hand and holding bow and quiver in her left; behind to right, trophy. BMC 236. Calicó 2103. Cohen 4 var. (head not bust). RIC 499. Rare. A lovely and very attractive example of this historically important issue. Nearly extremely fine.
The reverse of this issue refers to the Parthian campaigns of Lucius Verus, whose generals - most notably Avidius Cassius - repelled a series of Parthian attacks before taking the offensive. In 163, the Roman general Marcus Statius Priscus invaded Armenia and captured the capital Artaxata, an event which prompted Lucius Verus to assume the title Armeniacus and to issue coins showing the defeated Armenia in an attitude of mourning.
The reverse of this issue refers to the Parthian campaigns of Lucius Verus, whose generals - most notably Avidius Cassius - repelled a series of Parthian attacks before taking the offensive. In 163, the Roman general Marcus Statius Priscus invaded Armenia and captured the capital Artaxata, an event which prompted Lucius Verus to assume the title Armeniacus and to issue coins showing the defeated Armenia in an attitude of mourning.