MESOPOTAMIA. Edessa (?). Faustina Junior, Augusta, 147-175. Drachm (Silver, 17 mm, 2.00 g, 6 h), 167-169. ΦΑYϹΤΙΝΑ ϹЄΒΑϹΤΗ Diademed and draped bust of Faustina Junior to right. Rev. YΠЄΡ ΝΙΚΗϹ ΤΩΝ ΚYΡΙΩΝ Hygieia standing front, head to left, feeding serpent, rising from altar, out of patera with her right hand and holding scepter in her left. Helios 5 (2010), 279. RPC IV.3 online 10753 var. (reverse legend ending on CЄB). Apparently unpublished and the second known example. 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 rulers', meaning Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus