Lucius Verus, 161-169. Aureus (Gold, 18 mm, 6.77 g, 7 h), Rome, 164. •L•VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Laureate, draped 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. Calicó 2108. Cohen -. RIC -. Well struck and with a beautiful reverse. Minor marks and slightly clipped, otherwise, 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.