Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 164. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 124
Lot: 662. Estimated: $ 5 000

Roman Imperial, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. AV Aureus (19mm, 7.35 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 164. • L • VERVS ΛVG ΛRMENIΛCVS, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / TR P IIII IMP II COS II, REX ΛRMEN/ DΛT in two lines in exergue, Lucius Verus, in military dress, seated left on curule chair set on raised daïs; to left, a soldier, holding spear in right hand over right shoulder, looking right; on right, an officer standing left; in front of daïs to left, the Roman-appointed Armenian king, Sohaemus, standing left, raising hand to head. RIC III 511; MIR 18, 92-12/17; Calicó 2151 (same obv. die as illustration); BMCRE 300-301 var. (bust type, Aurelius and Verus); Biaggi 955 var. (same); Mazzini 157. Underlying luster, minor marks, ex-mount. Near EF.

The reverse records the re-installation of Gaius Julius Sohaemus as king of Armenia. Sohaemus, a member of the royal household of the Syrian caravan city of Emesa, was originally crowned as king by Antoninus Pius in AD 144, an event also recorded on that emperor’s coins. In AD 161, the Parthians invaded Armenia and drove him into exile. An offensive led by Verus cleared out the Parthians and re-established the pro-Roman regime of Sohaemus, who is seen here receiving his crown. The exceptional artistry of the obverse portrait, together with the complex reverse composition, marks this as a special issue celebrating Verus’s feat of arms.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 124 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 September 2023. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 20 September at 9 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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