Coinmaster

Yes, you're absolutely right, thanks!

Well, this is mainly because archaeologists in the Mediterranean don't make use of metal detectors. As an archaeologist myself this is very frustrating. Even after a period of more than 50 years since metal detectors are widely available, there is still a taboo amongst many archaeologist to make use of these excellent prospecting devices. Also, these instruments are still not thought to students, so there is no hope this will change any time soon... Very nice and interesting post - thanks for sharing!

Many thanks for the link to your great website @Valentinian, very helpful!! I have now also read the article from Van Heesch. The die axes part is a bit vague to my taste, the rest very interesting. On page 75, he noted an important issue: the economic impact Christians had on the income of the cities and - because of the tax - of Maximinus himself. However, I don't think that these coins were ONLY intended as anti-Christian propaganda as Van Heesch stated. Surely they were related to economic transactions and/or to emphasize buying the products/goods/statues related to the many gods and to spend the coins during the festivals. So, in my opinion, the coins were not minted (only) as anti-Christian propaganda, but mainly to promote both the gods and the related economic exchanges.

Very interesting @DonnaML, thanks! Is it correct an article is on its way? Who is the author? After a night of sleep I was wondering if both options could be applicable? So both festivities and a link with/to the persecution?

Very interesting @JAZ Numismatics, thanks for sharing! In addition there are these links: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antioch-civic-coinage-part-ii-1000th-post.338722/ https://allcoinage.com/anonymous_civic.php https://allcoinage.com/anonymous_series2.php So it seems a connection to a religious festival (and Olympic Games?) is a better explanation. Of interest is that the author mentioned only officina A till I is known, while on my coin a S is visible. I'm not sure I understand completely what is said about the production years.

A great source is: Werz, U. (2009), Gegenstempel auf Aesprägungen der frühen römischen Kaiserzeit im Rheingebiet - Grundlagen, Systematik, Typologie (Winterthur). see here and here.

Hi all, Recently I bid on a lot, mainly because I was triggered by one coin with no emperor on it (top right corner on the photos). It was sold as 'Set of five folles from the Constantinian and Valentinian dynasty period.' To my surprise I won the whole lot for only 28,50 Euro. What I could find about the coin (the coin looks better in hand and is party covered by deposits): Production under Galerius Valerius Maximinus ('Daia') (305-313 A.D.), 14x15 mm. Obverse: IOVI CONSERVATORI. Jupiter seated left holding globe and scepter. Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG. Victory hovering left, holding wreath and palm; S (officina no. ?) in right field, ANT from the mint place Antioch in exergue. It seems the issue was struck during the campaign of persecution against local Christians by Maximinus, which reached its height during 310-313. I read that idea was that the coins were produced to spread the word that paganism was still the law of the land. I guess this is the reason why Jupiter and Victoria are on this coin instead of the emperor Maximinus. Maximinus was a fervent pagan. In 306 and again in 308 he ordered a general sacrifice to the pagan gods; Christian recusants were mutilated and sent to the mines and quarries. (Outside of Egypt there were few executions.) In 311 he grudgingly accepted Galerius’s edict of toleration for Christians but still endeavoured to organize and revitalize paganism. Cities and provinces were encouraged to petition for expulsion of Christians from their territories, and the Acts of Pilate, an anti-Christian forgery, was taught in the schools. In the autumn of 312 Maximinus relaxed his persecutions somewhat, and shortly before his death in 313 he granted full toleration and the restoration of the confiscated church property. On Galerius’s death in 311, Maximinus occupied Asia Minor. In 313 he invaded Licinius’s dominions in Thrace but, defeated at Tzurulum, was forced to retreat into Asia Minor, where he committed suicide in Tarsus. Sources: DIR & Britannica I found a nice thread here. Please let me know if you have anything to add and please share your 'persecusion coins'!

Hi all, after I recently lost a Lucius Verus denarius in an auction, I'm now happy with this new acquisition! As I mostly collect one coin of each emperor, I'm very pleased with this nice portrait and to color a green square in my Roman emperors Excel overview. It wasn't a bargain, but, as the saying goes: 'Long after the price is forgotten, the quality will be remembered.' 😉 Münzen Gut-Lynt GmbH > Auction 15, Auction date: 6 April 2024, Lot number: 248 Lucius Verus, 161-169 Denar 166 Rom L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX. Büste nach rechts. Rv. TR P VI IMP IIII COS II, [im Abschnitt PAX]. Stehende Pax mit Füllhorn und Zweig nach links. RIC 561. 3.09 g. Gutes sehr schön / Good very fine. See also in ERIC and DIR. Does someone has more information about this coin type? And please do share your own Lucius Verus coins, thanks!

Very strange indeed, it doesn't seem very practical at a market. Perhaps it was used as give aways?

Well, Ambr0zie, it's still a Marius AND you have learned something, I call this a win! Just enjoy and thanks for sharing!

I have nothing to say about this sorry excuse for a man.., but thinking of Highlander..

OK, it's time for some elevated thoughts. Please share yours!

Very nice, many thanks!! I just found an interesting topic in this regard: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-denarius-of-probus.387741/.