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Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold coin with relief decoration on each side.

On the side of the coin on the left is the bust of a woman facing right, wavy hair pulled back and tied in a knot, loose clothing draped around her shoulders; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: L V C I L L A E / A V G / A N T O N I N I / A V G / F. The other side of the coin depicts a woman standing facing left, right arm extended holding an apple, left a slightly raised holding a long staff, draped in flowing clothing; surrounding the border, small dots and the Latin characters: V E / N V S.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.240
People
Lucilla, Roman (r. 161 - 180 CE)
Lucius Verus, Roman (r. 161-169 CE)
Antoninus Pius, Roman (r. 138 - 161 CE)
Title
Aureus of Lucius Verus struck for his wife Lucilla, Rome
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
164-183 CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Rome (Latium)
Period
Roman Imperial period, Middle
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/196159

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
7.21 g
Die Axis
2
Denomination
aureus
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F
  • Reverse Inscription: VE / NVS

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
BMC IV 321 p. 429; RIC III 783 p.276

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.240
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Draped bust of Lucilla to r., head bare, and hair waved and knotted in chignon at the back.
Rev.: Venus, draped, standing, facing l., holding apple in extended r. hand, long scepter in l. hand

Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973), p.151

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu