3201

Lucius Verus, AD 161-169. Gold Aureus (7.32 g) minted at Rome, Dec. AD 163-Dec. 164. MS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 USD and UP
Lucius Verus, AD 161-169. Gold Aureus (7.32 g) minted at Rome, Dec. AD 163-Dec. 164. MS
Lucius Verus, AD 161-169. Gold Aureus (7.32 g) minted at Rome, Dec. AD 163-Dec. 164. Bare head right of Lucius Verus. Reverse: L. Verus seated left on decorated platform; behind him, officer standing (possibly Statius Priscus); before, soldier standing; on exergual line, King Sohaemus standing left raising right hand. RIC 512 [as R2]; C. 158. The quality of both obverse and reverse die cutting is outstanding, with the obverse struck in high relief. Lustrous and perfectly preserved (fleur de coin, or "flower of the die"). Mint State. .

While the double exergual line on the reverse gives some depth to the reverse design, we are not far away from this master celator creating a fully realistic, three-dimensional artistic view upon this victory coin. The two soldiers could have been made smaller, giving greater distance, and King Sohaemus could have been standing to right, saluting the emperor. It is this flatness and two-dimensionality which can be traced here and before that were to continue until the painter Giotto and the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance.

The reverse type commemorates the Roman defeat of the Parthians in Armenia, and the return of that semi-autonomous kingdom to Rome. Overall condition is superlative and faultless! .
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.