Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 117 19-20 May 2021
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Lucilla. Augusta, AD 164-182. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.23 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, mid AD 164. LVCILLA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, hair arranged in parallel waves and gathered in chignon at nape of neck / PVDI CITIΛ, Pudicitia, veiled and draped, standing left, with right hand preparing to draw back veil, left hand at side. RIC III 779 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 38-2c; Calicó 2216 (same dies as illustration); BMCRE (Aurelius and Verus) 347 (same obv. die); Biaggi 977 (same obv. die); Mazzini 59 (same dies). A few light marks. Good VF.
Ex Provence Collection.
The appearance of Pudicitia on this aureus is meant to reflect modesty and sexual propriety, traits befitting any highborn Roman woman, especially the empress. As is usual the reality of her character was more murky. Roman historians portray Lucilla as a haughty and power-hungry adulteress who recruited two of her supposed lovers into a plot against her brother, Commodus.
Ex Provence Collection.
The appearance of Pudicitia on this aureus is meant to reflect modesty and sexual propriety, traits befitting any highborn Roman woman, especially the empress. As is usual the reality of her character was more murky. Roman historians portray Lucilla as a haughty and power-hungry adulteress who recruited two of her supposed lovers into a plot against her brother, Commodus.