Augusta Traiana in Thracia, 161-169 AD., Lucius Verus, Æ18, unpublished.
Augusta Trajana in Thracia, Lucius Verus,
Æ18 (17-19 mm / 5.10 g), 161-169 AD.,
Obv.: [?... AYP] - HΛI OYHPOC , bare head of Lucius Verus right.
Rev.: AYΓOYCTHC TPAIANHC , snake coiling on decorated altar, r.
Schönert-Geiss 95var (different obverse and reverse die, no. 95 is represented by one spec. in Plovdiv only) ; Varbanov (engl.) lists a similar type as #911 but with the obv. legend AV K AI L AVRH OVHROC (private collection, unpublished) ; cf. RPC temporary № 10347 ; Moushmov - .
According to S-G the snake in Augusta Traiana is related to the local Asklepios cult. The snake on the altar as a variation of the usual motif occurs only on small coins of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Snakes altogether were supposed to have healing power and immortality (because of regulary throwing away their skin). The snakes were hold in the temples.