I (now) have two Lucius Verus coins, and I was wondering what you think of them and which you favor and why? LUCIUS VERUS.This coin minted 161-169 A.D. 18 mm maximum.2.3 grams. Obverse; L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, Bare head right. Reverse; TR P III IMP II COS II, Armenia seated left on the ground amidst shields and banner References; BMC 239. RIC 501, Cohen 6. AND LUCIUS VERUS,166AD AR18mm 3.1 gm, Denarius, Obv: L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX Laur. head right. Rev: TRP VI IMP IIII COS II, Victory placing on palm tree a shield inscribed VIC PAR. Rome mint. References: RIC 566, RSC 279, BMC 431
I prefer the first. Although the second is sharper, the first has a better portrait and the reverse is more interesting.
Both are good types naming specific enemies but I favor the second which has slightly better surfaces. 2.3g is very light and probably suggests loss of metal to leeching out metal while buried. Add that to the cracks and I see a possible fragile coin that should not be dropped. As a pair they illustrate the two portrait styles with bare and laureate heads. IMHO there is a reason to make your Lucius Verus coin a sestertius. The later Roman biographies Historia Augusta http://www.livius.org/hi-hn/ha/hist_aug.html includes the comment that Verus was once a bit of a wild child: 4:7 "It was his wont also to hurl large coins into the cook-shops and therewith smash the cups. " Just like many people fantasize their Tribute Penny was once touched by Christ, I see Verus terrorizing Starbucks prototypes with my sestertii.
Topcat => those are two great L-Verus additions (congrats) I'm a fan of the 2nd example (sweet eye-appeall) Oh, and it reminds me of my cool example ... Lucius Verus AE Sestertius 164 AD Diameter: 33 mm Weight: 26.69 grams Obverse: L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head right Reverse: TR P IIII IMP II COS II S-C, Victory standing right, placing a shield inscribed VIC/AVG in two lines on palm Reference: RIC 1396, Cohen 249 Other: sweet portrait
I like the portrait and type of the first one, and the looks and metal of the second one. If I had to choose one, I'd have to lean towards number two.
A few years ago the best looking coin I owned cracked in half due to crystallization. So I would vote #2. I like the reverse of #1 best. Steve - your Victory has the best assets.
prefer 1 the obverse and 2 the reverse I also dream who could have held a coin - it still a wonder that the bronzes exist today. I do appreciate were the land is volcanic there are far better chances of bronze coinage survival r Jeff
I like the second best. Lucius Verus (161 - 169) AR Denarius O: L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX Laureate head right. R:TR P VII IMP IIII COS III Aequitas standing facing, head left, holding scales and cornucopia. Rome RIC 576 (Aurelius), RSC 297 18.5mm 3.3g Caesarea, Cappadocia AR Didrachm O: AYTOKR OYHPOC CEBACTOC Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. R: YPA TOS B ,Mt. Argaeus surmounted by Helios standing left. Struck 161-166 A.D. (as COS II) Caesarea, Cappadocia Mint 6.3g 20mm Metcalf, Caesarea 131d; Sydenham, Caesarea
Neither of the OP coins are your average denarius of Verus. I also choose #2 as a favorite on eye appeal, but #1 is probably more scarce, so it wins the rarity vote.
I would part with both and get a better one (in case you need me, I'm outside....) My only coin of his : Lucius Verus, Denarius Denarius struck in 165 AD L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, Laureate head of Verus right TRP V IMP III COS II, Captive (Pathian or Armenian) seated right, before him, bow, quiver and shield 3.10 gr Ref : Cohen #273, RCV #5358 Q
I only have one Verus denarius and it was bought for a strange reason. The type and reverse legend was copied directly on a rare Alexandria mint denarius of Septimius Severus of which I probably own the worst known. I recall Martin's is better. Several of Septimius' Eastern types were copied from earlier coins but I have no idea why the ones used were selected. Perhaps it was what was in the engraver's purse that day???
I prefer the second 'OP' as well... Wonderful varieties of posts!! I have a couple of modest denari, but can't access them at the moment
Well, my thanks to all who contributed. Very interesting to read your views. J.A.'s comments most closely 'mirrored' my own, but there is much to think about,there, including Q's comment. Thank-you for showing your examples, too.
both cool TC, i like the armenia reverse on the fist...but overall i favor the second, nicer details by a bit and i dig that you can see the VIC PAR in the shield.
Two great coins Tc7, i do like number 2 the best because of the reverse I do have a big old pond skipper. Lucius Verus. 161 -169. AD. AE, Sestertius Obv. bare head right. Rev. Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, standing with clasped hands. COS ll in ex. S C Rome mint.. 33mm x 22.4g. Very dark green patina.
