★ Unpublished and very interesting ★

MESOPOTAMIA. Edessa (?). Lucilla, Augusta, 164-182. Drachm (Silver, 17 mm, 3.20 g, 11 h), 167-169. ΛOYKIΛΛA CЄBACTH Draped bust of Lucilla to right. Rev. YΠЄP NIKHC PΩMAIΩN Venus standing front, head to right, holding apple in her left hand and raising veil from head with her right. BMC -. RPC IV.3 online -. Unpublished and of great interest. Very fine.

The enigmatic silver coinage struck in Mesopotamia under Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus was likely issued by Ma'nu VIII Philoromaios, King of Osrhoene (Edessa) in 139-163 and 167-179, as evidenced by stylistic comparisons between the 'anonymous' drachms and those naming the King on the reverse (see above, lot 1161). Whether this was done in Edessa or in a branch mint - perhaps in Carrhae - is unclear. The reverse legend on this example translates as 'for the victory of the Romans'.