Lucius Verus, 161-169. Denarius (Silver, 17 mm, 3.52 g, 7 h), Rome, autumn-December 163. L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Bare head of Lucius Verus to right. Rev. TR P III IMP II COS II / ARMEN Armenia, wearing peaked cap, seated left in attitude of mourning, placing her left hand on bow; behind her, shield and vexillum. BMC 239. Cohen 6. RIC 501. An attractively toned example with a fine portrait. Good very 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