a pleasant surprise

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I almost fainted, my March 9th order has finally arrived! Three subsequent orders have arrived before this one. While both pleasant and a suprise, that's not the surprise referred to.

I often will buy a coin just because of the patina; the type itself being relatively irrelevant.  This Lucius Verus was a bit of an exception, since at the time I was on the lookout for Lucius Verus.

Lucius Verus (161-169). Æ Dupondius (27mm, 11.31g, 6h). Rome, AD 166. Radiate head r. R/ Victory advancing l., holding wreath and palm frond. RIC III 1462.  (dealer description).  My grade: F+/F.

The portrait is also quite pleasant.  The dupondius is a denomination not well-represented in my collection; I probably have less than half a dozen examples.

And now for the pleasant surprise: I ended up liking the throw-in coin better than my main coin.

Antoninus Pius (138-161). Egypt, Alexandria. Æ Drachm (34mm, 28.51g, 12h), year 11 (AD 147/8). Laureate head r. R/ Elpis standing l., holding lotus blossom and raising a fold of her skirt. Köln 1577; Dattari (Savio) 2542; K&G 35.403; Emmett 1501.

I certainly didn't expect much.  This coin was just an impulse throw-in.  While not spectacular, it looks a lot better in person and really isn't bad at all for a $41 coin.  Like a lot of LAC coins, it's waxed and glossy.  I happen to generally like that look.

[CPK]

Nice coins! That Lucius Verus portrait is striking.

[Limes]

Nice additions! I agree with @CPK, that Verus portrait is great!

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Thanks! Yes, I had the same impression of the Verus.