Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 899. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCIUS VERUS. 161-169 AD. Æ Sestertius (24.99 gm). Struck 163 AD. IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG, laureate bust right, slight drapery on left shoulder / FELIC AVG TR P III, S-C across field, COS II in exergue, galley sailing right; Verus standing right between two standards on stern saluting five soldiers who stand on deck; Nike standing right on prow. RIC -; BMCRE 1052 note; MIR 18 -; Cohen 83. Good VF, glossy black patina. Quite attractive and extremely rare with the right sailing galley. ($4000)

On the death of Antoninus Pius in 161, Marcus Aurelius created Lucius Verus co-emperor with tribunician power. For the first time the imperial powers, except for the position of pontifix maximus, were fully shared between two persons. In accordance with his reputation for being weak and indulgent, with a love of pleasure and luxury, Verus is shown going off to the Parthian war in style. The galley is of a large size and shown exceptionally high in the water, illustrating much detail.