Lucius Verus, Silver Denarius

Lucius Verus (161-169 AD), silver Denarius, Rome 166-167 AD, L VERUS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head right, rev. TR P VII IMP IIII COS III, Aequitas, draped, standing front, head left, holding scales in extended right hand and cornucopia in left hand, 3.49g, 7h (RIC Marcus Aurelius 576; RSC 297). Good very fine, lightly toned and strong portrait.

The silver denarius of Lucius Verus, struck between 166 and 167 AD, reflects the reign of an emperor whose greatest achievement was his role in securing victory against the Parthian Empire. Lucius Verus became co-emperor alongside Marcus Aurelius in 161 AD, following the death of Antoninus Pius. This unusual arrangement marked the first time Rome had been ruled jointly by two emperors of equal official standing. While Marcus Aurelius concentrated much of his attention on affairs within the empire, Verus was entrusted with overseeing the eastern campaign against Parthia, which had threatened Roman interests in Armenia and Mesopotamia.

The obverse depicts the laureate head of Lucius Verus facing right, accompanied by the inscription L VERUS AVG ARM PARTH MAX. This title celebrated the successes of the Roman campaigns in the East, culminating in the capture of the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, in 165 AD. However, despite these military achievements, the returning Roman army brought with it a devastating plague, which spread throughout the empire and caused widespread death.

The reverse features Aequitas, the Roman personification of fairness, equity, and honest dealing. Standing and holding scales in her extended right hand and a cornucopia in her left, she symbolises just administration and prosperity. The inscription TR P VII IMP IIII COS III records Verus's seventh tribunician power, fourth imperial acclamation, and third consulship, helping date the coin to 166-167 AD.

Although Lucius Verus is often overshadowed by his more philosophical co-emperor, Marcus Aurelius, this denarius commemorates his contribution to Rome's military success. His reign demonstrated the advantages of shared imperial responsibility, even as the consequences of the Parthian campaign would bring new challenges to the Roman world.

The obverse inscription L VERUS AVG ARM PARTH MAX translates to "Lucius Verus Augustus, Conqueror of Armenia, Greatest Conqueror of the Parthians."

The reverse inscription TR P VII IMP IIII COS III translates to "Holder of Tribunician Power for the seventh time, supreme commander for the fourth time, consul for the third time."