MYSIA. Pergamum. Lucius Verus, as Caesar, 138-161. Assarion (Bronze, 19 mm, 2.76 g, 1 h), I. Pollion, strategos (for the second time?), asiarch and neokoros, circa 140. Λ ΑVΡ ΑΙΛ ΚΟΜΟΔΟϹ bare-headed and draped bust of Lucius Verus to right, seen from behind. Rev. [ΕΠΙ ϹΤΡ]Α Ι ΠΩΛΙ Π[ΕΡΓΑ] / in monogram: TO (B ommited) Asklepios standing facing, head to left, leaning right on serpent-entwined staff . BMC 297 corr. (misattributed Commodus). RPC IV.2 online 3291. SNG Copenhagen 488 corr. (misattributed Commodus). Weisser, Pergamon, 1020a-b corr. (misattributed Commodus). Struck on an unusually light flan and with some corrosion, otherwise, very fine.


This type was traditionally attributed to Commodus as Caesar, but Pollios held his second term as strategos of Pergamum under Antoninus Pius, striking coins for the emperor, Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, and Faustina Jr. Thus, this means that the present issue represents one of the few cases where coins were issued for Lucius Aurelius Aelius Commodus, the future emperor Lucius Verus, as Caesar Antoninus Pius. as adopted son of Antoninus Pius. The 'B' denoting the second term of Pollios as strategos was apparently omitted in error on this reverse die, as it also occures on other dies (see Weisser 1020a).