Lot 112
Rome. Lucius Verus, 161-169 AD. Gold Aureus (7.36 g), Rome mint, struck 163-164 AD. Bare head of Verus right. Reverse: Verus in military attire, seated left on high, ornamented platform, crowning before and below him, Sohaemus, King of Armenia, two flanking figures on platform; REX ARMEN DAT / TR P III IMP II COS II. RIC 512 (R-2); C. 158; BMCRE 300. Finely centered, sharply struck and lustrous. Magnificent high relief, sensitive portrait. Very rare. NGC graded Uncirculated.
Lucius Verus was the son of Aelius and co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius from AD 161 until 169. His victories in the East were considerable, beginning with Armenia and Parthia. Those readers who have seen the 1964 film "The Fall of the Roman Empire," concerning Rome at this time, will not forget the campfire scene, the superb acting by Sir Alec Guinness and, of course, the beauty of Sophia Loren.
Estimated Value $14,000 - 18,000.
Ex Caruso Sale (Canessa, 28 June 1923), lot 391; ex Münzen und Medaillen, December 1968, lot 334; this coin can be seen also among the rear dust jacket illustrations of David Sear's indispensable new edition of Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume II: The Golden Age, AD 96-AD 235; Illustrated in Money of the World, coin 46.
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| Realized $28,750 |
