2019-06-03 Mon

Two ancient Roman coins were auctioned by Leu Numismatik on 25th May. Both of them were issued to celebrate victories in an interesting way. One was an orichalcum (brass) sestertius issued during the rule of Macrinus between 217 and 218 AD. The obverse side depicts a portrait of Macrinus, while the reverse side features a seated Victory. Macrinus was a civilian North African lawyer and did not have any military experience. He signed a peace agreement with Artabanos IV after he was defeated by the Parthians in the Battle of Nisibis in 217. The propaganda coin was issued to celebrate the peace treaty. However, the Severan loyalists and the Roman military revolted in Julia Maesa and Elagabal in Emesa, which eventually led to the execution of Macrinus and Diadumenian in 218. The coin had an estimated value of 5,000 francs but was sold for 20,000 Swiss francs.

The second coin was a gold aureus of Armenia Capta issued during the rule of Lucius Verus in 163 AD in Rome. The obverse side depicts a portrait of the ruler, while the reverse side features a seated Armenia in a mourning state. Generals of Lucius Verus had tried to defend several Parthian attacks. The Roman general Marcus Statius Priscus finally captured the capital of Armenia, Artaxata, in 163. Lucius Verus assumed the title Armeniacus and the coins featuring a defeated Armenia in a state of mourning were issued. The coin had an estimated value of 7,500 francs but was sold for 14,000 Swiss francs.

Image Courtesy: Leu Numismatik