Sorry, but I also posted this bad-boy on the Happy Birthday thread ... but I always like giving my new coins the respect of having "their own intro-thread!!" ... anyway ... yes, I may be weak, but I am also amazingly good at collecting coins that I like and not letting coins go by that I'll regret ... => so here is a perfect example ... please put your hands together for Lucky-V (Lucius Versus) 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: Nice portrait => I love the look on Lucius' face ... great eye-appealing portrait, yes?
I've always liked this sestertius type. When you decide to adopt it out, I'll be glad to take her in.
=> Thanks a lot for all of the great coin comments, fellas!! Yes, it certainly is a monster coin (27 grams), with a sweet life-like portrait and a super-cool silhouette on the reverse ... all wrapped-up with stunning tone and a great cozy feelin' ... winner, winner, X-mas dinner!!
I recall a story that Verus was something of a wild child known for things like throwing sestertii and breaking breaking cups in cookshops. Remember this was before Dixie cups were invented so patrons would keep their personal cup hanging at the places they frequented. Just as thousands of Christian collectors like to believe their Tribute Penny was the one touched by Jesus, you can now believe that your sestertius was once flung by the guy shown on it. I can imagine a bunch of rowdies cruising the Roman nightlife and having to be tolerated because one of them was co-emperor. Well worn but attractive Verus sestertii are not hard to find. His portrait wore better than some other rulers.
