Orange Julius

Hi all, I’ve been big into collecting Gallienus/Claudius II era coins lately. One area of focus has been Alexandrian coins. Since I have a nice run of Claudius II tetradrachms, I thought I’d share mine and ask to see yours so I can add more to the “to buy” list. I also have some great new Aurelian tetradrachms for another thread once I get some pictures taken. Here’s what I have so far for Claudius II from Alexandria, which one’s your favorite and why? Also let’s see your Claude II Alexandrians! Obverse legends: AVT K KΛAVΔIOC CEB Emmett 3878(1) - Eagle with wreath 🦅 Emmett 3869(2) - Bust of Alexandria Emmett 3883(2) - Bust of Hermanubis Emmett 3890(2) - Nike with wreath 🕊 Emmett 3875(2) - Dikaiosyne seated holding scales and cornucopiae 🪑⚖️ Emmett 3878(3) - Eagle with wreath 🦅 Emmett 3877(3) - Eagle with wreath 🦅 Emmett 3877(3) - Eagle with wreath 🦅

Great coins. The obverse of that Phocas is really fun and the Isaac II is really nice. Here is my Leo VI like yours:

That’s a great Claudius II tetradrachm! I have a few new Claudius IIs from Alexandria that I’m going to start a thread with but I agree that there were some great coins out of Alexandria from this time. Here’s my somewhat recent favorite: Gallienus Tetradrachm RY 13 = 265/6. Ob: AYT Κ Π ΛΙK ΓΑΛΛΙΗΝΟC CЄΒ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, seen from behind. Rev. L - ΙΓ Nike standing front, head to left, holding wreath in her right hand and palm frond in her left. Emmett 3823 (13) R1, Mine 4117, Curtis ____, Dattari (Savio) 5253, K&G 90.89.

Yeah, my “buy it now!” was an uninformed coin monster reaction. My post should have a disclaimer that says “this post is not coin buying or financial advice but for entertainment purposes only. Please conduct your own analysis and ignore my words but feel my excitement!” In theory… usually a big chunky Aemilianus is a “take my money” situation. 😬😀

The answer is always yes, but especially so in this case 👏🏻💰💸💸

Here’s the freaky long-necked version of your Tier coin. If that were me, I’d be seeing a doctor 🩻🩺👩🏼‍⚕️.

Nice coins! My only Valerian II has an ugly portrait… but I like it. Valerian II Antoninianus, Rome mint, 256-259 AD. DIVO CAES VALERIANO, radiate head right. CONSECRATIO, Altar, lighted, with a small palmette at each top corner and four panels on the front. RIC V-1, 24; Cohen 12

See information and medal 55 on this page: https://www.medalcollectors.org/discover/guides/thomason-medallic-bible

That’s a very Postumus-looking Victorinus! I’ve never seen a bust like that for him. A fun coin. Anyway, finally circling back to see everyone’s coins here. There are many beautiful examples! As some have said, the die engraving was still (on many coins) as artistic as it had ever been… it was just the metal, flan quality and over use of dies that made many coins look dumpy. I’ve really enjoyed some of the great Numerian and Carinus coins. Probus of course had some great coins and those Gallic emperors usually had nice portraits even if the reverses were hastily done many times. Perfect examples are some Quintillus coins. The busts are well done… it’s just everything else that is crappy (flan, metal, strike, reverse, etc.) 🤷🏻‍♂️ I love this Probus coin, about as good as it gets. Severina looks like Aurelian in a wig, but still a nicely done coin with a nice reverse.

That's a nice coin! I love how it shows its age with some colorful encrustations that do not obscure any of the details. Below's the only photo of a Cyzicus FH that I have handy. I call this my David Bowie Fallen Horseman due to the blue/green makeup Constantius wears across his eyes. This coin is a bit later than yours but it's still a nice large and heavy coin with some pretty colors.

Just a quick spin through some pic on my phone…

Here kitty kitty! 🐅

Great coin! I don’t have a Marius yet and am jello. Oh… and WHAT is up with that RED Victorinus?! Is it really that color in hand?! If so, very cool color! Not to side track the thread but this is my reddest coin: …and here is my closest to Marius coin… a Victorinus with the features of Marius:

My whole family had it on Christmas 2021… the kids barely felt it. My wife and I felt like we were dying and had to struggle though the day with kids supercharged on Santa and presents. It was awful… but we all made it through with no problems. Hope you have an easy go of it and are well soon!

How about this power-couple! Severina Billon Antoninianius. SEVERINA AVG, draped bust right on crescent / CONCORDIA AVGG, Severina standing right, clasping hands with Aurelian, standing left. Mintmark ΓXXIR. RIC 3, RSC 2; Sear 11704

Great information and coins! Here’s on my my Alexandria Troas coins showing the same temple of Apollo Smintheus as above but for Caracalla.

Sorry to hear this... I hope you're keeping your spirits up and improving. If you can't coin... you know it's serious! I had sepsis once from a simple scratch on my elbow (hospital and all the fixings), nothing close to what you are going through but... terrifying and jumped right on top of me without much warning! Maybe it may, in very small part, improve your well-being to see some of your ex-coins (and board-friends) wishing you well! One of my favorite Commodus coins from you... hope you slay what's ailing you like Commodus slayed that Ostrich.

That’s a great coin! I’d love to get one of those but don’t know if I’d pay what one would cost. The closest I have is a Victorinus that looks like Marius and is not Laelianus!

Here’s page 117 from Milne that answers your question. Milne 4924 and 4925 have LS left in different positions. Milne 4928 and 4930 have S - L but the L is oriented differently on each. Milne 4924 through 4930 are all variations of the same basic coin. Emmett lists all variations under the same number. Image below from Emmett showing 4045(6), the “1” listed for the coin under year 6 is the rarity rating… 1 being most common: …and just for fun because I like using my books… from Curtis coins 1978 and 1979, with a cross reference to BMC and completing the circle back to Milne!

Two of my favorites:

The coin itself is ragged and the reverse is boring but I’ve always thought this portrait of Salonina is great compared to other coin portraits. She looks natural and really pretty!

Great coin! Yeah, it wasn't necessarily the artistry that declined at this time but the quality and the material (metal). The coinage of the Gallic Empire shows some great portraits (even if the reverse dies were used to the point of being smudges). Even the during the depths of Tetricus, some portraits are actually very expressive and well done.

Many see coins of the second half of the third century as a reflection of the decline of the times. While many coins don't show the attention to artistry and quality of the "golden eras," there are some coins that rival the artistry of those earlier times. While this coin has some issues (the green is not BD), I think the reverse is beautiful. It's an uncommonly artistic coin of a time where quality was slipping. I really like it. Anyway for this post, show me your coins of the second half of the third century (250-284 AD) that show a level of artistry uncommon for the times. ...or show me your Venus 🙂. Gallienus Antioch, 254-255 AD. Obverse: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus to right, seen from behind. Reverse. VENVS VICTRIX Venus standing front, head to left, holding helmet in her right hand and transverse scepter in her left, leaning left on shield set on ground. Cohen 1025. MIR 1573d. RIC 298 ('Viminacium'... when listed more recently as Antioch).

Great coins! I have a mirrored version (except mine has wings) of the reverse on your first coin. Hadrian, Silver Denarius Struck 134-138 AD, Rome mint, RIC II 345 OBVERSE: Laureate head of Hadrian, bearded, right. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P[ATER] P[ATRIAE] (Hadrian, the Revered One, Father of the Country). REVERSE: Goddess of victory, Victoria, draped, seated left on low chair, holding up wreath in right hand and palm in left. COS III (Consul for the 3rd time).