EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. BI Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.06 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 164/5). Good VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 536. Estimated: $ 1 000

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Billon, Coin-in-Hand Video

Sold For $ 2 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. BI Tetradrachm (22mm, 12.06 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 164/5). Λ AVPHΛIOC OVHPOC CЄ, laureate head left / APMЄ NIA, trophy consisting of a cuirass, helmet, shields and spears; below, Armenian captive, seated right, wearing Phrygian cap, hands bound behind his back, looking left; L Є (date) in field. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 3691 = RPC IV.4 Online 2737.4 (this coin); K&G 39.108; Emmett 2362.5. Dark brown patina. Good VF. Very rare. RPC plate coin.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Nilus Coins, 27 September 1997. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions V, 9 December 1988), lot 192; Schweizerischer Kreditanstalt 4 (3 December 1985), lot 192; Sternberg XIII (17 November 1983), lot 718; Malter II (23 February 1978), lot 347; Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 3691.

Although Lucius Verus was not primarily known as a military emperor, preferring the political theater of Rome, Verus was dispatched to deal with the Parthian invasion in the east while his brother was ill in Rome. He began his advance east in AD 161. He spent the majority of the war as an administrative leader from Antioch, delegating command of his army to his generals. Finally, in AD 164, having never seen battle and under pressure from the Senate and his generals, Verus recovers Armenia and captures the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon. Although defeated, Vologases IV would not cede western Mesopotamia to Rome for another two years. The trophy and legend on the reverse of this coin commemorate the capture of the Parthian capital.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Two – Lot 338–647 will be held Tuesday afternoon, 9 January 2024 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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