Lucius Verus Silver Denarius

Hi Everyone I'm getting this very nice silver Denarius of the Co-Emperor Lucius Verus this week. More about him: Lucius Verus (/#712;lju#720;#643;#601;s #712;v#618;#601;r#601;s/; Latin: Lucius Aurelius Verus Augustus; 15 December 130 - 23 January 169 AD) was the co-emperor of Rome with his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius from 161 until his own death in 169. He was a member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. Verus' succession together with Marcus Aurelius marked the first time that the Roman Empire was ruled by multiple emperors, an increasingly common occurrence in the later history of the Empire.

The eldest son of Lucius Aelius Caesar, first adopted son and heir to Hadrian, Verus was born and educated in Rome where he held several political offices prior to taking the throne. After his biological father's death in 138, he was adopted by Antoninus Pius, who was himself adopted by Hadrian. Hadrian died later that year, and Antoninus Pius succeeded to the throne.

Antoninus Pius ruled until 161 and was succeeded by Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. The majority of Verus's reign was occupied by his direction of the war with Parthia which ended in Roman victory and some territorial gains. After initial involvement in the Marcomannic Wars, he fell ill and died in 169. He was deified by the Roman Senate as the Divine Verus (Divus Verus). Verus fell ill with symptoms attributed to food poisoning, dying after a few days (169). However, scholars believe that Verus may have been a victim of smallpox, as he died during a widespread epidemic known as the Antonine Plague.

Despite the minor differences between them, Marcus Aurelius grieved the loss of his adoptive brother. He accompanied the body to Rome, where he offered games to honour his memory. After the funeral, the senate declared Verus divine to be worshipped as Divus Verus. About this coin: MINT: Rome

OBVERSE; L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
-Laureate head right.

REVERSE; TR P VII IMP IIII COS III
- Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.

REFERENCE: RIC 576 (Marcus Aurelius)