Lucius Verus, 161-169. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.32 g, 7 h), Rome, 164. •L•VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Bare head of Lucius Verus to right. Rev. TR P IIII• IMP II COS II Victory standing front, head to right, placing a shield inscribed VIC / AVG on palm tree. BMC 294. Calicó 2174 (same dies). Cohen 248. RIC 522. A bold and attractive piece. A few light marks, otherwise, extremely fine.


The victory title on the obverse and the reverse image of this issue refer 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, Marcus Statius Priscus invaded Armenia and captured the capital Artaxata, an event which prompted Lucius Verus to assume the title Armeniacus and to strike a victory issue in gold, silver and bronze.