Catalog
| Issuer | Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Year | 164-180 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Aureus = 25 Denarii |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 7.2 g |
| Diameter | 20.5 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | RIC III#783, OCRE#ric.3.m_aur.783 |
| Obverse description | Bust of Lucilla, bare-headed, hair waved and fastened in a bun on back of head, draped, right. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F (Translation: Lucillae Augustae, Antonini Augusti Filia. Of Lucilla the venerable, daughter of emperor (Augustus) Antoninus.) |
| Reverse description | Venus, draped, standing left, holding apple in right and sceptre in left hand. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | VENVS |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (164-180) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1006006570 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This aureus, struck between 164 and 180 CE, features Lucilla, daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and wife of co-Emperor Lucius Verus. Her prominent depiction as Augusta during the Antonine Dynasty underscores her vital dynastic role in securing the imperial succession. The era, while generally stable, faced challenges like the Marcomannic Wars and the Antonine Plague, making the propagation of imperial stability and divine favor through figures like Lucilla and associated deities crucial for public perception.
Artistry: The design emanates from the skilled, yet anonymous, engravers of the Roman imperial mint, characteristic of the High Imperial style. This school favored classical realism for portraiture, exemplified by Lucilla’s draped bust on the obverse. The reverse depicts Venus, often holding an apple or scepter, her identity affirmed by the VENVS legend. This iconography symbolically links Lucilla to the goddess of beauty, fertility, and divine favor, reinforcing her imperial legitimacy and importance within the ruling family.
Technical/Grading: For optimal grading, attention is paid to the high-points: Lucilla’s hair, nose, and the folds of her drapery on the obverse, and Venus’s head, shoulders, and garment folds on the reverse. A superior technical strike exhibits full detail, sharp legends, and minimal die wear. The purity of gold (7.2 gg, 20.5 mm) generally ensured excellent metal flow, preserving intricate details. Original mint luster, if present, significantly enhances desirability, indicating minimal handling and wear.