EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 164/5). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 127
Lot: 401.
Closing Date: Sep 18 2024 11:00 ET

The Beniak Collection of Alexandrian Coinage, Billon

Estimate: $ 500

BID NOW

EGYPT, Alexandria. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. BI Tetradrachm (23mm, 12.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 164/5). Laureate head right / APMЄ NIA, trophy consisting of a cuirass, helmet, shields and spears; below, Armenian captive, seated right, wearing Phrygian cap, hands bound behind his back, looking left; L Є (date) in field. Köln 2163 var. (bust); Dattari (Savio) 9434; K&G 39.110 var. (same); RPC IV.4 Online 2738; Emmett 2362.5. Toned, light porosity. VF. Very rare variety.

From the Dr. Thomas E. Beniak Collection, purchased from Tom Cederlind, 14 July 2005.

Although Lucius Verus was not primarily known as a military emperor, preferring the political theater of Rome, Verus was dispatched to deal with the Parthian invasion in the east while his brother was ill in Rome. He began his advance east in AD 161. He spent the majority of the war as an administrative leader from Antioch, delegating command of his army to his generals. Finally, in AD 164, having never seen battle and under pressure from the Senate and his generals, Verus recovered Armenia and captured the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon. Although defeated, Vologases IV would not cede western Mesopotamia to Rome for another two years. The trophy and legend on the reverse of this coin commemorate the capture of the Parthian capital.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 127 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 17-18 September 2024. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 17 September at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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