MESOPOTAMIA. Edessa (?). Marcus Aurelius, 161-180. Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 1.89 g, 12 h), 167-169. ΑYΤ [Κ Μ ΑYΡΗΛΙΟϹ] ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. YΠЄΡ ΝΙΚΗϹ ΤΩΝ ΚYΡΙΩΝ CЄ Female figure standing front, head to left, holding globe in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. RPC IV.3 online -, cf. 8028 (longer legends and differing bust type). An apparently unpublished variety of an extremely rare issue. Thin flan crack, otherwise, very fine.

The enigmatic silver coinage struck in Mesopotamia under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus was likely issued by Ma'nu VIII Philoromaios, King of Osrhoene (Edessa) in 139-163 and 167-179, as evidenced by stylistic comparisons between the 'anonymous' drachms and those naming the King on the reverse. It is unclear whether this was done in Edessa or in a branch mint, perhaps in Carrhae. The reverse legend on this example translates as 'for the victory of the Augusti', meaning Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus