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Roman Imperial. Lucius Verus (161-169 CE) AE Sestertius (25.4g, 34mm, 11h). temp. Marcus Aurelius (Augustus, 161-180 CE) Rome mint, 164 CE.
Obverse: L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS. Laureate, draped bust of Lucius Verus right, seen from behind.
Reverse: VICT AVG TR P IIII IMP II COS II / S-C across fields. Victory standing to right, holding trophy in both hands over Armenian captive seated at foot.
References: RIC III (Aurelius) 1410, cf. 1408-1409. See also (but check laureate vs bare head): Cohen 334-5; Banti 191-5; RCV 5377; Goebl MIR 18, 86.
Prov.: ArtCoins Roma (now, Bertolami Fine Arts), probably (to confirm) e-Auction 8, 904 (part of) (30 Jan 2013).
Hist. Notes: Historically significant celebration of victory in war against Parthians in Armenia. Showing Victory looming over Armenia is rather ironic imagery, since Armenia was officially an ally. The imagery suggests that Romans viewed alliances in terms of defeat and submission (or subjugation and captivity). Armenia, a client state of Rome, had been captured by the Parthian King Vologoses IV, who expelled the Armenian king. In 163, Rome re-captured the Armenian capital Artaxata, after which Lucius Verus accepted the title “Armeniacus” (Marcus Aurelius took that title as well, but the following year), despite never having seen combat (and despite his reportedly detached & debauched leadership style). They both took the title “Parthicus” two years later after invading Parthian territory and capturing Mesopotamia (Aurelius waiting a year, again, “after a tactful delay” [wiki]).