maridvnvm

I can illustrate two coins that I have owned that I think are relevant here. There seems to have been a couple later breaks in the production of denarii. One being during the reign of Aurelian. Aurelian, denarius Obv:– IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– VICTORIA AVG, Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm. Minted in Rome, (B _ //VSV). Allocated by Estiot to Emission 10 dating to end A.D. 274. Reference:– Paris-185, Gobl-135f2 (9 spec.), RIC-71, C-250 (Elberling, 6 Fr.). Virtually fully silvered , a good strike, well centred and not showing much evidence of wear. Relatively scarce in this condition. We don't really know what the VSV stands for though there are several hypotheses. The next is possibly Diocletian,.where these are sometimes called denarii, sometimes quinarii and sometimes called AE Fractions. Diocletian - Ae Fraction, sometimes referred to as denarius / quinarius Obv:- DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right Rev:- VTILITAS PVBLICA, Utilitas standing facing, head left, hands in drapery. Minted in Rome (T in exergue). A.D. 294 - 295 Reference:- RIC VI Rome 48 (Rated R2). 1.43 gms. 16.68 mm

The Eastern mint coins of Septimius Severus is a prolific source for FORTVNA REDVCI derived legends. The legends typically start in long form earlier in the output of the issues and shortens later. One peculiarity if these issues is that the deity being depicted is not always Fortuna but is often describes as Fortuna as another deity e.g. Pax. I will illustrate some of the above from my collection. AVG issue FORTVNE (sic) RDVCI (sic), Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae FORTVNAE REDVC, Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopiae In the COS I issue we see that the legends are still long but with the introduction of other deities FORTVNAE REDVCI, Fortuna (Pietas) standing left holding patera and cornucopia, sacrificing over altar We also have some more obverse legend variations before we reach the mass COS II issue. Legend here still tend to be long form. AVG II C - FORTVNAE REDVCI, Fortuna (Pax?) seated left holding branch and cornucopia . CO - FOTVNA-E (sic) R-EDVCI, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder in right hand, cornucopia in left This coin might simply be a mistake of putting the wrong reverse type with the wrong legend - II C - FORTVAE(sic) REDVCI, Moneta/Aequitas standing left, holding scales in right hand, cornucopiae in left COS II continues with the rudder types, Pax seated, Pietas standing and I even have a COS II - Aequitas/Moneta, but now introduces Hilaritas, primarily standing but exceptionally seated COS II - FORTV-NA REDVCI, Hilaritas, standing front, head left, holding long palm and cornucopiae COS II - FORTVN R-EDVC, Fortuna (Hilaritas) seated left holding long palm and cornucopia The strange, shortened legend, COS II varieties also introduce a scepter & cornucopia type IMP CA L SE SEV PER AG COS II - FORT REDVC, Fortuna standing left, holding long scepter & cornucopia The IMP II issues have Fortuna Cornocopia, Hilaritas, Pax seated types but now introduces the double cornucopia type and a seated cornucopia and sceptre type. IMP II - FORT R-E-DVC, Fortuna standing left holding cornucopiae in both hands IMP II - FORT RDEVC, Fortuna, seated left, holding cornucopia and sceptre The IMP VIII issue continues with a mix of those from other issues, Fortuna with rudder (stg. and std.), Hilaritas stg, Pax, std. Pietas stg, Double cornucopia stg. In all I have >120 coins from these eastern issues with varying Fortuna types. It could become a collection focus on its own. Martin

Link - Taras Calabria, Taras, Silver Nomos Obv:– Helmeted, nude warrior riding on horse right, transverse spear in right hand, large round shield behind, [ΦI before], ΦHRAE / ΛHTWΣ below. Rev:– [T_A_RAS], Taras astride dolphin left, holding flower & cornucopiae; EI monogram & thymiaterion behind Minted in Calabria, Taras from .c. 272 - 235 B.C. Pheraeletos as magistrate Reference:– Vlasto 891 ???, SNG ANS 1209???. HN Italy 1037

Caracalla, AE27 Obv:- AY K M AY ANTWNINOC AY K P CEP, GETAC in exergue, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right confronting laureate and draped bust of Geta left; Rev:- Y FL OYLPIANOY MAPKIANOPOLITWN, Concordia standing slightly left, patera in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, E (mark of value) lower left; Minted in Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria). Consular Legate Flavius Ulpianus, 210 - 211 A.D Reference:– Varbanov (Engl.) 1083 27.33 mm. 11.74 gms. 0 degrees. More confronted portraits

Link:- Julia Maesa again AND Fecunditae Julia Maesa denarius Obv:– IVLIA MAESA AVG Draped bust of Julia Maesa to right, her hair bound in a bun at the back Rev:– FECVNDITAS, Fecunditas seated left, holding branch and scepter; child to left and right. Minted in Antioch. A.D. 218-220 Reference– RIC 249, note; BMC p. 540, * note; RSC 7a. 2.74g, 20.20mm, 0o

Ok. So here is a die break with the progression of the break. Obverse @ 1 o'clock Next:- A die match pair

@mc9 That is a nice example of the type. The same reverse type has quite a few variations. I have a few.... This one is similar to yours but with a less refined bust style. This one has better bust style but a worn reverse die. Here the bust is draped and seen from the front. Here the bust is cuirassed only and seen from the rear (quite a scarce bust type for this mint) Here we have the longer obverse legend "IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG" combined with a draped and cuirassed bust seen from the rear I am not sure if there is any actual relevance to the direction of the Victory being held but you can clearly see that the Victories occur facing in each direction.

@mc9 Full attribuition of your coins below:_ Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– VIRTVS AVG, Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear, left hand on shield Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Emission 6 Officina 4. A.D. 278 to 279 Reference:– Cohen 816. Bastien 298. RIC 112 Bust type F

My triga C Naevius Balbus, AR Serrate Denarius Obv:- Diademed head of Venus right, SC behind Rev:- Victory in triga right; numeral CLVI above, C NAE BALB in ex. Minted in Rome. 79 B.C. Crawford 382/1b; Syd 769b. Naevia 6. Uneven toning on obverse with a dark toned reverse.

Athens, AR Tetradrachm Obv:– Head of Athena right with eye seen in true profile, wearing crested helmet ornamented with three olive leaves and floral scroll Rev:– owl standing right, head facing, to right ATE in large lettering, to left olive sprig and crescent Minted in Athens c. B.C. 393 - 370. Reference:– Flamen p. 126, 1 (Pi I); Svoronos Athens plate 19, 17; SNG Cop - Ex-Forum Ancient Coins 16.699g, 24.31mm, 270o The following information was provide with the coin:- "Transitional style tetradrachms include all of the wide spectrum of variants with the eye in profile issued after the classic "old style" almond eye tetradrachms but before the broad thinner flan "new style" tetradrachms. Recent research has classified variations of the transitional style - Pi Type, Quadridigité Style, Heterogeneous Style and sub-groups of the styles, and proposed chronologies for the different styles and groups. This coin is the earliest transitional type, the first Pi style type, essentially identical to the "old style" with the exception of the eye in profile. The "Pi" designation is based on the P shape of the floral spiral and palmette ornamentation on the helmet bowl. The coin can be classified as Pi style, group 1. The floral ornament on examples this early do not yet resemble Pi."

Ticinum Obv:– IMP C PROBVS AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle Rev:– MARTI PACIF, Mars walking left, holding olive-branch, spear and shield Minted in Ticinium (I | * / QXXI), Emission 10, Officina 4. A.D. 282 Reference(s) – RIC 508 Bust type H Part of EQVITI series II (I) Siscia Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle Rev:– ADVENTVS AVG, Emperor riding left right hand raised, left holding scepter (without captive) Minted in Siscia (XXIV in exe) Emission 5 Officina 5. A.D. 278 Reference:– RIC 624 Bust type H. Alföldi type 5, n° 96 4.00 gms, 22.11 mm. 180 degrees

https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/type/90923

Here is another alternative depiction of Mars Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev:– MARTI VICTORI AVG, Mars standing left, holding laurel-branch and spear, shield behind. Minted in Lugdunum (//II) Emission 7 Officina 2. Summer A.D. 281 Reference:– Bastien 317 (5 examples cited). RIC 88 Bust type C. 4.14 gms

There are a few Mars varieties from Lugdunum. Thgis type with a captive before is wuite scarce. Obv:– IMP C PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– MARS VICTOR, Mars walking right, holding spear and trophy; at foot, captive. Minted in Lugdunum (unmarked) Emission 7 Officina -. Summer A.D. 281 Reference(s) – RIC 35 Bust Type F (Scarce) From aureus reverse dies. Same reverse die as aureus - Bastien 301 Weight 4.12g. 22.42mm. 0 degrees

I am always on the lookout for coins or types that I didn't think I would find examples of. I like to snack on them when I find them. I was aware of the ROMA AETERNAE type of Tacitus through the Lipanoff fakes of the type. They don't come on to the marker that often. Some have great bust types associated with them and in nice condition they can command a premium. This is not a good condition coin though it is a scarce sub-variety and stands up when compared to the other known examples. Obv:– IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– ROMAE AETERNAE, Roma std. left, shield leaning against throne, holding globe in right hand and long sceptre in left hand. Minted in Siscia (//XXIV). Emission 4. Officina 5. early A.D. 276 Reference:– La Venera Hoard 2317 (1 specimen). RIC temp #3757 (4 examples, Oxford. Vienna, LaVenera, Thun (an unpublished hoard)) https://ric.mom.fr/en/coin/3757

Thanks you for that. I am often in London looking for things to do. I will book a ticket for my next trip in a few weeks time.

I also have many Probus. Picking one is tough. I prefer the Lugdunum mint (>400 coins). Here is one of my better ones. Obv:– VIRTVS PRO-BI AVG, Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield, decorated with emperor riding past row of soldiers with shields Rev:– ADVENTVS PROBI AVG, Emperor riding left, right hand raised, left holding sceptre; at foot, captive Minted in Lugdunum (IIII) Emission 5 Officina 4. End A.D. 277 to Early A.D. 278 References:– Cohen 69. Bastien 256 (2 examples cited). RIC 64 Bust Type G (S) Appears to be an obverse die match to the plate example in Bastien I have some decent coins from all the mints. Here is one from Rome. Obv:– IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, Radiate, bust left in imperial mantle, holding scepter surmounted by eagle Rev:– SOLI INVICTO, Sol in quadriga riding left, holding globe and whip Minted in Rome (R in exe) Emission 2. A.D. 277 Reference(s) – RIC 204 Bust type H Weight 5.63 gms. Size 23.25 mm

I am now starting to look properly and have found yet another.

@Topcat7A double die match with the same flan shape, wear pattern etc. as the example illustrated by @Postvmvs is a red flag. This in itself could be accepted if it were the same coin but coming from a known fake seller the odds are diminishing. A more definitive answer would come out if we found another matched example. Here we go. So I have to disagree with @ominus1 here and say that it is fake.

Just for information whilst they all purport to be in th UK the majority of these sellers actually post from Bulgaria though there are a few who actually post from the UK. They all have a wide range of cast fakes all the way though to LRB and on into Byzantine and into Celtics. Coins that a few years ago might have been though as not worth faking are now being cast. There are artefacts too/ There are probably about half a dozen or so sellers with the same base stock on repeat sale over and over again. There are artefacts too. WIth volumes of sales into hundred of coins sold per month and an average selling price of about £10 it must be worth their while.

Not gold, not pretty but the only thing I have that is vaguely relevant. Danzig, 10 Pfennig Obv:- STADT DANZIG,Angel head above oval arms within circle / 1920 Rev:- 10 within cartouche Free City of Danzig, Poland Mintage : 876,000 Reference:- KM#Tn1

I have now submitted the new coin to RPC Online and it is going to be included in a future publication on the Alexandrian series.

I am probably closest to the "Niche Collector" but I think the description is isn't quite Niche enough. so I am probably an "Extremely Niche Collector".

There are a few types which are only known for very few examples. I am still chasing after the "Emperor on horseback left, holding sceptre obliquely in left hand and raising right hand." type. I did manage to obtain this scarce type. Obv:– A K M AVP PROBOC CEB, Laureate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– None, Nike advancing left, holding wreath in both hands Minted in Alexandria, Egypt. Year 3. (LГ in left field) Milne 4555. Curtis -, Emmett 3992(3)R5. BMC -. 9.22 gms Ex-Olympus Coins February 1992. Ex-Keith Emmett Collection.

@DonnaML That's a nice Eirene. Much better than my own year 3. They also appear in year 4. Here are two with different year letter placement.