Lucius Verus, 161-169. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.26 g, 6 h), Rome, 164. •L•VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Bare-headed and cuirassed bust of Lucius Verus to right, seen from behind. Rev. TR P IIII•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 297 note. Calicó 2107. Cohen -. RIC 508. Rare. A lovely example of this historically important issue with a beautiful portrait. Minor nicks on the reverse, otherwise, 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