Roman Empire AD 161-169 Lucius Verus Silver Denarius NGC VF – Series VI

Lucius Verus was adopted by Emperor Antoninus Pius, along with Marcus Aurelius, at the behest of Hadrian, establishing a precedent for co-emperorship in the Roman Empire.

One of the most notable aspects of Lucius Verus’s reign was his leadership during the Parthian War (AD 162-166). The campaign was successful and the victory in the Parthian War was celebrated with triumphal arches and coins commemorating the empire’s success.

Lucius Verus’s reign also saw the outbreak of the Antonine Plague, which began around AD 165 and significantly impacted the Roman population, military, and economy. The plague marked a devastating period in Roman history and is considered one of the first recorded pandemics.