Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold coin with relief decoration on each side.　
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a man facing right, short tendrils of curly hair adorn face and head, shoulders are bare; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: V E R V S / A V G / A R M E N I A C V S. The other side of the coin depicts a man facing left, wearing a cloak around shoulders, seated on an x braced chair on top a rectangle shaped platform, adorned with small circles, two men stand on either side of him on the platform wearing loose clothing draped over one shoulder, the seated man's right arm outstretched towards another man in front of him not standing on the platform; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: T R / P / I I I I / I M P / I I / C O S / I I / R E X / A R M E N I A C V S / D A T.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.257
People
Lucius Verus, Roman (r. 161-169 CE)
Marcus Aurelius, Roman (r. 161 - 180 CE)
Title
Aureus of Lucius Verus, Rome
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
163 -164 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Middle
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/195902

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
7.27 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
aureus
Date on Object
IMP II COS II
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: L . VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS
  • Reverse Inscription: TR P IIII IMP II COS II REX ARMENIACVS DAT

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
BMC IV.300

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.257
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Bust of Lucius Verus, bare. to r.
Rev.: Lucius Verus, in military dress, seated on curule chair to l., extending r. hand towards king Sohaemus, standing in front of him. Right and left officer in toga standing.

Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973)

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • Roman Gallery Installation (long-term), Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/16/1999 - 01/20/2008
  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins
  • Google Art Project

Related Digital Tours

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu