Ancient Rome - AD 161-169 Lucius Verus AV Aureus NGC XF

Lucius Verus (AD 161-169). AV Aureus (6.88g). NGC XF Strike: 5/5 – Surface: 4/5. Rome Mint, December AD 163-December AD 164. Obverse: •L•VERVS AVG-ARMENIACVS, with laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Lucius Verus to the right. Reverse: TR P IIII•IMP II COS II, with Victory standing facing, head right, half-draped, with left foot on globe, inscription VIC / AVG on shield set upon a palm tree. Sources: RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 525. Calicó 2177.

Marble rendering of co-emperor Lucius Verus at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Lucius Verus (Lucius Aurelius Verus Augustus, 15 December 130--169) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 169. He ruled alongside his adopted brother, Marcus Aurelius, as co-emperor. Lucius Verus was the first-born son of Lucius Aelius Caesar, who was the first adopted son and heir of Emperor Hadrian (76-138). When Lucius Aelius Caesar passed away in 138, Hadrian selected Antoninus Pius (86-161) to be his successor.

Therefore, Antoninus was adopted by Hadrian (at the age of 51) on the proviso that Antoninus would adopt Verus and Hadrian's great-nephew, Marcus Aurelius, as his sons and heirs to the throne. The young prince and future emperor received an excellent education from the famed grammaticus, Marcus Cornelius Fronto. An accomplished student, Verus enjoyed writing poetry and presenting speeches. He began his political career in 153 as a quaestor, became consul in 154, and the year 161 saw him serve as consul again with his brother Marcus as his senior partner.