Apparently Unique Transitional Sestertius

CNG 112, Lot: 633. Estimate $500. Sold for $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Sestertius (32.5mm, 22.77 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 161. IMP CAESAR L AVRELIVS VERVS AVG, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right / TR POT COS II, S C in exergue, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus seated left on sella castrensis set on platform; below, on left, officer standing left, holding baton and spear. RIC III 1307 var. (shorter obv. legend); MIR 18, 13-16/17 var. (same); Banti 106 var. (same). Brown patina, a rough patch on reverse. Good VF. Medallic high relief portrait. Apparently unique.

From the Rye Collection.

The longer obverse legend was used only in the first emission, according to Szaivert, in MIR 18. He does not list this reverse legend and type until the second emission. Thus, this is likely from the very first phase of the second emission, as it still retains the obverse legend of the first emission.