CVC & Collectables presents this AD 161-169 Roman Empire Lucius Verus AR Denarius, graded by NGC as Choice Extremely Fine (CH XF), offers a compelling glimpse into the joint reign of Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius, two pivotal figures in Roman history. Lucius Verus, born on December 15, 130, rose to power alongside Marcus Aurelius, sharing the imperial throne from 161 to 169.
Despite enjoying equal constitutional status, Lucius Verus did not wield equivalent authority or exhibit the same level of leadership as Marcus Aurelius. Born to a senator, Lucius Ceionius Commodus, he was adopted by the emperor Hadrian and designated as Hadrian’s successor. However, upon Hadrian’s death, Antoninus Pius ascended to the throne, with instructions to adopt both Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius as his heirs.
Upon assuming power, Lucius Verus adopted Marcus Aurelius’s original cognomen of Verus, and in 164, he married Marcus’s daughter, Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla. Notably, Lucius Verus played a role in the Roman military campaigns against the Parthians, Armenians, and Medes, though his contributions were overshadowed by his tendency to delegate military affairs to subordinate generals.
In 167 or 168, Lucius Verus joined Marcus Aurelius in a campaign against the Marcomanni, a Germanic tribe, in the vicinity of Pannonia. However, his life was cut short by a stroke during the march home, marking the end of his reign and leaving Marcus Aurelius to rule as sole emperor.
The obverse of the AR Denarius likely features a portrait of Lucius Verus, while the reverse may depict symbolic imagery or references to military conquests, reflecting his role as a Roman leader and commander. Graded as Choice Extremely Fine by NGC, this coin exhibits sharp details and minimal wear, preserving its historical significance and numismatic value as a tangible artifact of the Roman Empire’s golden age.
Coin Highlights:
- Emperor: Lucius Verus
- Metal: Silver
- Grade: Choice Extremely Fine, Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5
- Time period: AD 161-169
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