The coins of Lucilla have two varieties of obverse inscriptions: 1) Coins emphasizing that she is the daughter of Marcus Aurelius: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F (and variations) 2) Coins bearing her name only: LVCILLA AVGVSTA. The reverse types of her coins are rather pedestrian -- coins @dougsmit would describe as "such-and-such standing -- and typically feature goddesses and personifications of feminine virtues, such as Concordia, Diana, Hilaritas, Juno, Salus, Venus, etc. Often, these reverse types are struck in all metals, and the same design may appear on aurei, denarii, sestertii and middle bronzes. Mattingly and other scholars believe coins with the longer inscription describing the empress as daughter of Marcus were issued earlier (AD 164-166) than those reading LVCILLA AVGVSTA (AD 166-169). In most instances, a reverse type is associated with a single type of obverse inscription. However, a few reverse types that appear with the longer, earlier obverse inscription were reused later with the shorter obverse inscription. One of these was the reverse type reading VENVS and depicting the goddess standing, holding an apple and scepter. Here are some examples from my collection: Longer, earlier obverse inscription: Lucilla, AD 164-169. Roman AR denarius, 3.42 g, 18.2 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 164-166. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: VENVS, Venus, draped, standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and vertical scepter in left hand. Refs: RIC 784; BMCRE4 322-24; Cohen 70; RCV 5491; MIR 16; CRE 261; ERIC II 35. Lucilla, AD 164-169. Roman orichalcum sestertius, 21.52 g, 28.8 mm, 10 h. Rome, AD 164-166. Obv: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: VENVS S C, Venus, draped, standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and vertical scepter in left hand. Refs: RIC 1763; BMCRE4 1167; Cohen 72; RCV 5506; MIR 16; ERIC II 67. The shorter, later obverse inscription: Lucilla, AD 164-169. Roman AR denarius, 3.00 g, 18.25 mm, 6h. Rome, AD 166-169. Obv: LVCILLA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right. Rev: VENVS, Venus, draped, standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and vertical scepter in left hand. Refs: RIC 785; BMCRE4 *, p. 432; Cohen 71; RCV --;CRE 262; ERIC II 22. This coin also comes in a variant with a different hairstyle, as shown on this example sold by Numismatik Naumann in 2013: Coins of this reverse type with the later obverse inscription are much scarcer than those with the earlier inscription. The British museum has no examples in the denarius or sestertius denomination and only seven denarii have come up for auction in five years, according to acsearchinfo. Post your Lucillas, comments, or anything you feel is relevant.
Very nice coins, RC, and thank you for the info on the obverse legend timeline! I've always been a fan of Lucilla's coins... She is usually depicted in a very elegant and regal, yet slightly sad way. I don't have any Venus reverses, so here is my only one, a Juno type As with later obverse legend type.
Some lovely Lucilla's there I have a thing for this imperial lady, so even though I collects Roman Republicans exclusively I do have this one as well Lucilla. Augusta, AD 164-182. Æ Sestertius (29mm, 20.04 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, circa AD 161-162. Obverse: Draped bust right. Reverse: Venus standing left, holding apple and scepter. References: RIC III 1763 (Aurelius); MIR 18, 16-6/2a; Banti 39. Provenance: CNG e-Auction 422 (13 June 2018), lot 542.
Lucilla, struck 164-169 or possibly much later (183?) according to BMC. RIC 759. BMC 333-335. Sear II 5480.
I regret that I do not have a Lucilla / Venus. Yours is great @Roman Collector ! Here is a Lucilla that I can chip in... RI Lucilla AR denarius Juno seated flower child in swaddling clothes Seaby 36
WoWiE! Some real show stoppers right there RC! Hubba hubba to that last one. If Lucilla was as promiscuous as they say (though they say the same about the rest of them). She was a looker Fun thread btw. Here's mine: Lucilla Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) for Lucilla. AR Denarius Rome. Obv. LVCILLA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right. Rev. VENVS, Venus standing left, holding apple and sceptre. RIC III 785.
I was counting letters on it when you said that. Not sure where I got the attributing. Noted and appreciated.
I don't have the Venus reverse, but here is my Lucilla with the Pietas reverse. On a sidenote, she was the daughter of Marcus Aurelius, not Antoninus Pius.
Reviving this useful thread because I need a little help with a recent purchase. I think it is an as of Lucilla, RIC 1770. However, Faustina II as RIC 1410C is quite similar. My low-grade specimen features a left-side obverse legend that is pretty much obliterated, obscuring the name. 19 mm, 10.10 grams. I'm not sure what happened to the back of her neck - it almost looks like a countermark. Lucilla is my guess based on the portrait, and looking at a lot of examples of both Lucilla and Faustina. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
My first Lucilla coin arrived today (I bought 3 coins with ladies on the last auction, Lucilla, Julia Maesa and Julia Mamaea, they were all missing from my collection). I thought I overpaid for Lucilla initially, I was a little carried away when bidding, but seeing it in hand made me forget about any regrets. RIC III Marcus Aurelius 786 Date Range: AD 164 - AD 180 Obverse Legend: LVCILLA AVGVSTA Type: Bust of Lucilla, bare-headed, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head, draped, right Reverse Legend: VENVS VICTRIX Type: Venus, draped with right breast bare, standing left, holding Victory in extended right hand and resting left hand on shield set on ground
Missed this thread first time around......Some lovely coins shown... I do have a soft spot for the Empresses in general...... Here's my example sorry it's the same as the OP..
SESTERTIUS. AE 22.45 gr. – 31.14 mm . O:\ LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F; Bust of Lucilla right. R:\ PIETAS S-C; Pietas stg. Left, altar at feet. RIC 1756, BMC 1161.
My only Venus is a low end version of the ambr0zie coin. I have no early legend Venus but this is the PIETAS.