lrbguy

Talk about "catching up on the people I have missed" sure rings a bell with me. I had to pull back for the last month and a half due to preparations for an exhibit and delivering a one hour presentation at an exhibition. That came to a conclusion on Nov 20. I have watched (with a feeling of guilt) as the thread soldiered on, wishing I could take the time to show some things. If there is no objection, I would like to catch up by filling in from Macrianus to the present, including wives. I could limit myself to one coin per figure, or one per metal per figure (where relevant), if that is preferred. Or I could just take my lumps and sit it out. Please let me know what you would prefer. In the meantime, the thread is up to Magnentius (but mentions neither Decentius nor Vetranio nor Nepotian nor Constantius Gallus). For now I will keep it to one coin: a toned siliqua for Vetranio - a VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM from the mint at Siscia

With respect to the two pretenders to the throne, Macrianus and his brother Quietus, I am in the same boat as Qcumbor. I have (or had) one of each in a box which I cannot now locate (along with dozens of other nice items in it). So I will have to take a pass on them. Instead I have devoted a bit more time to my display for Salonina. I will show an example of her silver coinage from all but one of the mints who struck for her. However, I also want my selections to reflect the impact of inflation on the products of those mints. The roster of mints here follows the number and order of mints as given by Prof. N.M. McQ Holmes in the catalog and iconograpic study published by CNG in 2019 at the sale of his collection. All but one are represented. After Rome the mints are listed from West to East. RIC numbering reflects the joint reign og Gallienus with his father (J); against the sole reign of Gallienus (S). Other numbers: (MIR) reference R Goebel - Moneta Imperii Romani (2000) The obverses for all but one of the following feature a diademed, draped bust, wearing stephane, hair arranged in tightly constructed wrap of braids, facing right, on a cresent. Inflation in the Imperial Roman economy had always had a debasement effect on the metal composition of Imperial coinage. The introduction of the Antoninianus under Caracalla about 213 AD as a double denarius with only 1.5 times the original silver content is a case in point. However, by the middle of the third century the rate of inflation spiraled out of control, and the necessary debasement in the currency could not so easily be masked. At the beginning of the joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus silver coinage had already become significantly debased. Yet, with the challenge to stability occasioned by the loss of Valerian, further economic flux caused the metal composition to move rather quickly from being noticeably silver, to potin, to brass, to bronze all within the sole reign of Gallienus. Cornelia Salonina The obverses for all but one of the following feature a diademed, draped bust, wearing stephane, hair arranged in a tightly constructed wrap of braids, facing right, on a crescent. ROME The three coins I show from the mint at Rome, were selected to show something of the range of inflation effects on the manufacturing of coins during this reign. RIC 35(J) The "good silver" of this coin marks it as having been minted early in the joint reign. SALONI - NA AVG Pietas seated to L, two small figures standing at her L and one beneath her. PIETAS - AVGG The presence of the three small figures (children) and the bare breasted female figure of Piety, here associates the "piety" of womanhood with the care and feeding of children. RIC 15(S) antoninianus (orichalcum) The specific color tone of this coin places its alloy closer to orichalcum (brass) rather than more basic bronze. As such it had a slighter higher tariff value. COR SALONINA AVG Doe walking L IVNONI CONS AVG delta in exergue RIC 39 denarius (deeply toned billon) The obverse portrait bust is like all the others here but does not rest on a crescent. SA[LONINA AVG] Securitas stg L, legs crossed, leaning on column and holding scepter [SECVRIT PERPET] VIMINACIUM (closed in 257 - gear transferred to Cologne a Danubian settlement (modern Serbia) MIR 853b CORN SALONINA AVG Pietas stg L R arm raised, holding box of perfumes in L. PIETAS AVG COLONIA AGRIPPIENSIS (Cologne) MIR O904C [compare RIC 8(J)] earlier attribution to Lugdunum is not upheld in more recent scholarship SALONINA AVG Venus half naked, seen from rear, stg to R, leaning on column holds out palm VENVS - VICTRIX MEDIOLANUM (MILAN) RIC 61 (S) SALONINA AVG Felicitas stg to L, legs crossed, leaning on column, holding out caduceus in R hand FELIC-IT PVBL SISCIA RIC 79(S) SALONINA AVG Pietas stg L sacrificing before flaming altar PIETAS AVG CYZICUS not shown - Salonina's coins from this mint are marked in the reverse exergue with SMQP. Present day values are very high, and the available supply correspondingly weak. ANTIOCH MIR 1585h [but compare RIC 28(J) below] SALONINA AVG Juno stg L holding out patera in R hand, and staff with L; peacock at feet on L IVNO REGINA MIR 1585h [but compare RIC 28(J)] SALONINA AVG Juno stg L holding out patera in R hand, and staff with L; (no peacock) IVNO REGINA This coin was selected to demonstrate a distinctive "flat face" obverse portrait that is specific to Antioch. On the reverse: this example does not appear to have a bird at the feet of the reverse figure, which is a common characteristic of this same motif from the mint at Rome. However, the obverse portrait unmistakeably ties this example to Antioch. SAMOSATA (RIC as "ASIA") MIR 1683p [compare RIC 71(J) ] CORN SALONINA AVG Vesta stg L holds palladium in R hand, scepter in L VESTA AE-TERNA RSC misreports the reverse inscription as VESTA AETERNAE (contra RIC)

I'm pretty much at the same place as AmbrOzie on the mint attribution for these coins of Saloninus. My attribution to Antioch was based entirely and uncritically on RIC without reference to Goebel, Wildwinds, or anyone else. Until we get to the first Tetrarchy my devotion to the coins of the Imperial women is not shared by those of the rest of the Imperial family members. Case in point, for Salonina I have strong representation with approx 60 coins from seven mints associated with her, but for Gallienus, four mints in 8 coins total. For me the question of showing reverse types comes down to knowing where to draw the line. In the case of Otacilia Severa I tried waiting until everyone had posted what they would and then I came in to cover some of what had not been shown. But the time it took to assess all that, and then rally with finished pics and writeup, cost me posting anything for Herrenia Etruscilla. Even with extra days, time ran out. A similar crunch came up earlier for the coins of Faustina I (with but one or two exceptions). I don't know what's going to happen when we get to the big three for me: Galeria Valeria, Fausta, and Helena. Pick favorites? I like to think this is a bit more than show and tell. If anybody has some suggestions I am all ears. This is supposed to be fun, and I don't what to "disgruntle" anyone.

The coins for Mariniana are some of my favorites, though I am not sure why. But they are few in number and one figure for which I have nearly all of the silver issues (missing one major variety). With your indulgence, the following cover the basics. A review of the family (skip if you wish😞 Unlike many of the ephemeral emperors and rebels who bid for Imperial Power during the Crisis of the Third Century of the Roman Empire, Valerian was of a noble and traditional senatorial family. Details of his early life are elusive, except for his marriage to Egnatia Mariniana, who gave him two sons: later emperor Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus and Valerianus Minor. [so Wikipedia] Valerian's wife was also born of nobility: "The sister of the Hedii Lolliani, who were consules ordinarii in 209 and 211, married one of the Egnatii. Their daughter, (Egnatia) Mariniana married the future emperor Publius Licinius Valerianus and gave birth to the future emperor Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus." -Inge Mennen, Power and Status in the Roman Empire 193-284 (Brill: Leiden, 2011) p.72 Several coins, all bearing the obverse legend DIVAE MARINIANAE, all from the mint at Rome, date back to the beginning of the joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus (253-258). Given the practice of deifying the wives who died before their husbands' assumption of the Principate, it is possible that Mariniana died before AD 253. All of the coins listed in RIC bear only this obverse legend. The bust of the empress rests on a crescent, facing right with one of two hair styles, i.e. veiled with or without diadem. With but one very rare exception, two reverse types of the antoniniani for Mariniana share the CONSECRATIO reverse inscription. The exception has a particularly rare reverse featuring Felicitas standing left holding a caduceus and cornucopia under the words FELICIT DEORVM. (not featured here) Egnatia Mariniana Somewhat less commonly seen, but more diverse in its form, is the "grand peacock" CONSECRATIO type featuring a peacock standing in splendor, fan tail, looking either to right or left. These occur with or without diadem on the obverse. RIC 3 DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, (no diadem) CONSECRATIO peacock stands in splendor facing right. RIC 3 DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, (with diadem) CONSECRATIO peacock stands in splendor facing right. (The photo for this next example is the listing photo by its seller, inasmuch as it has been purchased but not yet delivered. Not only did it fill a gap in this sequence of images, but it has an unusual feature to be explored. The U/V shaped mark in the right field requires some investigation. It is my only acquisition since early 2019.) RIC 4 var DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, (no diadem) CONSECRATIO peacock stands in splendor facing right. V-shaped figure in right field RIC 4 DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, with diadem CONSECRATIO peacock stands in splendor facing right. Parallel to these there is also a somewhat rarer variant in which the bird is walking right. On all coins of this type the empress wears a diadem. RIC 5 DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, with diadem CONSECRATIO peacock in splendor advances right. The most commonly seen CONSECRATIO reverse features a depiction of the apotheosis of Mariniana (the elevation to divine status) in which the figure of the Empress rides the sacred bird of Juno, the peacock, in skyward flight. Usually the empress is seen riding on the left side of the bird which is flying to the right. RIC 6a DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, (no diadem) CONSECRATIO empress rides peacock ascending right, waving while facing left RIC also notes that the opposite orientation also exists, but groups both types under a single number, i.e. RIC 6. For regularly produced types, this is far and away less commonly seen than anything else shown in this post. RIC 6b DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, (no diadem) CONSECRATIO empress rides peacock ascending LEFT while facing right RIC 6a-var DIVAE MARINIANAE veiled bust r. on crescent, (no diadem) CONSE RATIO empress rides peacock ascending right, waving while facing left Of this anomaly CNG said in its auction description: "A die-sinking error in the reverse legend." That about sums it up.

(My apologies to Donna for not catching her question. By the time I logged in ambrOzie had already taken care of it in fine style ☺️. Sometimes the fine mint distinctions become part of the thrill of the hunt. Today's examples are more along that line. Not sure why the grandkids got moved to the same slot as their grandmother while their mom got not mention at all, but I will post their coins today, albeit separately from those of Mariniana (grandma). The coins for their mother (Salonina) I will list when I show those of her husband (Gallienus). Valerian II P Cornelius Licinius Valerianus ( 1st son of Gallienus and Salonina) was given the rank of Caesar at his fathers elevation to Augustus. He died two years later in 255 AD. Lifetime issue 253-255 RIC 19 minted at Rome Radiate, draped bust to R P LIC VALERIANVS CAES Priestly sacrificial implements (wand, patera, vase, knife, simpulum) PIETAS AVGG Posthumous issues hereafter RIC 9 minted at Lugdunum Radiate, draped bust to R DIVO VALERIANO CAES (posthumous) CONSACRATIO The misspelling with an "A" is characteristic of this issue from Lugdunum But here comes an interesting variant on that theme: RIC 9 minted at Lugdunum Radiate, draped bust to R DIVO VALERIANO CAES Eagle bearing Caesar aloft CONS(W?)CRATIO Here the essential character of the misspelling has a mangled cursive "a" quality RIC 24 minted at Rome Radiate, bare bust to R DIVO CAES VALERIANO Funeral altar CONSECRATIO Saloninus P Licinius Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus (2nd son of Gallienus and Salonina) was elevated to the rank of Caesar upon the death of his brother, and in 259 was elevated to the rank of Augustus as co-regent with his father. Unfortunately the next year Postumus had assumed the throne, and having no use for the son of his predecessor, eliminated the young rival to the imperial throne. The following three coins are all from the mint at Antioch and distinguished by the appearance of NOB(il) in the obverse legend. On the reverses they illustrate the use of officina marks as noted below. ( Note: RIC mentions a mark consisting of only a wreath without a dot as the second type of mark, but does not mention a variety without mark at all. See examples below.) RIC 36 Antioch Radiate, draped bust to R SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Prince stg at L holding spear extends R hand to Spes approaching from R holding hem of skirt with L hand, extending flower in R hand. *Nothing in field above center (officina ?) SPES PVBLICA RIC 36 Antioch Radiate, draped bust to R SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Prince stg at L holding spear extends R hand to Spes approaching from R holding hem of skirt with L hand, extending flower in R hand. Six point star in field above center (officina 1?) SPES PVBLICA RIC 36 Antioch Radiate, draped bust to R SALON VALERIANVS NOB CAES Prince stg at L holding spear extends R hand to Spes approaching from R holding hem of skirt with L hand, extending flower in R hand. Wreath around dot in field above center (officina 3?) SPES PVBLICA

Valerian 253-260 P Licinius Valerianus was unanimously elected emperor by the Senate after the death of Gallus, and proclaimed by all after the death of Aemilion. He reigned jointly with his son Gallienus from the very beginning. He was captured by Sapor I in Persian conflict in 260 and never returned to the Roman Empire.. Toward the end of his reign in 260, the silver content of the Antoninianus was reduced so low that a silver wash began to be applied over a bronze core to mark the denomination as "silver." Here I show silver and potin, but do not have any examples in bronze for Valerian. The following coins have been selected for various features of their reverses, and are arranged chronologically by mint. There were at least a half dozen mints in operation during this reign. Shown are examples from four. ROME RIC 124 Mint at Rome silver Radiate bust draped to R IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG Victory stg. facing, head to L, holds our wreath in R hand, and palm branch in L. VICT - ORIA AVGG MEDIOLANVM (MILAN) RIC 257 (RIC attributes to the mint at Mediolanum (Milan) silver Radiate bust draped to R IMP VALERIANVS P AVG Spes waliking L holding flower in R hand, and hem of skirt with L SPES PVBLICA ANTIOCH From the mint at Antioch Potin RIC 287 (RIC attributes to the mint at Antioch) Goebl 1685e Radiate bust draped to R IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG Turreted female (Orient) at L presenting wreath to Valerian at R. Above: RESTITVT OR-IENTIS (no mintmark) RIC 287 (RIC attributes to the mint at Antioch) Goebl 1685e Potin Radiate bust draped to R IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG Turreted female (Orient) at L presenting wreath to Valerian at R. Above: RESTITVT ORI - ENTIS Mint mark* : Wreath with dot; officina mark (#3?) *This is one of three mintmark types which were applied to the reverses of these coins. Another mark of distinction. SAMOSATA RIC 295 (RIC attributes to the mint at Antioch) // Goebl: a mint at Samosata (Goebl 1682e Samosata) silver This type in silver is usually attributed to Samosata since the work of the late Robert Goebl in 2000. Radiate bust draped to R IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG 2 Victories affixing shield inscribed S C to palm tree VOTA ORBIS

A bit of imperial instability just before the arrival of Valerian Aemilian 253 AD After achieving success as governor of Pannonia and Moesia, Aemilian was proclaimed Augustus by his soldiers who joined him in a successful move against Rome to seize the imperial throne from Gallus. But within four months of reign, for his efforts to secure his throne against advances by Valerian, they took his life from him. Aemilian radiate facing R, draped seen from rear IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG APOL CONSERVAT Apollo stg facing head to L holding branch in R hand, and resting L on a lyre standing on a rock Gaia Cornelia Supera Gaia Cornelia Supera (died after 253 AD) was the empress of Rome and the wife of Emperor Aemilian. Nothing is known about her life, except from numismatic evidence. Her full name on the imperial silver coins is CAIA CORNELIA SVPERA AVGVSTA. However, her name and monuments were condemned after Valerian was hailed as emperor in October of 253. The paucity of surviving pieces is doubtless one effect of the "damnatio memoriae." A triassarion from Phrygia (per acquisition notes) The obverse is clear enough, but I'm having some trouble with the transcription of the reverse. ΓΑΙ ΚΟΡ ΣΟΥΠΕΡΗΝ ΣΕ ΑΡΧ ΤΟ (ΒΦ) ΓΛΟΤΕΙΜΩ // (exergue) ΤΟΥΝΕΩN/(Κ?) Obverse: ΓΑΙ ΚΟΡ ΣΟΥΠΕΡΗΝ ΣΕ ~ Gai Kor Souperein Se[baste] The obverse inscription is clear, and merely gives her name and station: Gai(a) Corn(elia) Supera: Empress Reverse image: Cornelia(?) enthroned facing left, holds a patera in outstretched R hand, and scepter in L. Reverse: ΑΡΧ ΤΟ (ΒΦ) ΓΛΟΤΕΙΜΩ // ΤΟΥΝΕΩN(?Κ) The reverse appears to start with a reference to the local issuing magistrate, but I cannot make out the details of that name or the place name. I think the transcription needs help.

Upon the deaths of Trajan Decius and Herrenia Etrucilla in 251, by order of the Senate their son Hostilian was made Augustus. He was to rule jointly with a high ranking army officer, Trebonianus Gallus, whose own son, Volusian, was made Caesar. The arrangement only lasted a few months until Hostilian died of the plague, after which Volusian was made Augustus. In 253 father and son were assassinated. Trebonianus Gallus - 251-253 Trebonianus Gallus Undated RIC 32 Rome IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG APOLL SALVTARI The obverse inscription is characteristic of Rome. Trebonianus Gallus Undated RIC 41 Rome IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG PIETAS AVGG Trebonianus Gallus Undated RIC 71 Milan IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG PAX AETERNA The obverse inscription is characteristic of Milan. Trebonianus Gallus RIC 92 Antioch IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS P F AVG VBERITAS AVG The obverse inscription is characteristic of Antioch. Three dots below bust on obverse, and in exergue on reverse, when they occur are markers for the mint at Antioch Volusian (as Augustus) - late 251-253 Volusian dated 253 RIC 140 (Rome) IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG Radiate bust to R, draped, seen from rear PM TRP IIII COS II Emperor stg facing, head L, holding branch and transverse scepter The obverse inscription is characteristic of Rome and identical to that of his father differing only in name. Volusian undated RIC 219 (Antioch) IMP C C VIB VOLUSIANVS AVG MARTEM PROPVGNATOREM The obverse inscription is characteristic of Antioch and identical to that of his father differing only in name. The first word in the reverse inscription is engraved with very broad letters.

The name of Volusion does not appear on the chart, but since he was the son of Trebonianus Gallas, and was made Caesar and then Augustus at the death of Hostilian, may I assume we will be doing him now as well?

After surveying the small host of images for the reigns of Philip and Trajan Decius above, I had determined that I would show what I could of things not yet shown by others among the Imperial silver. Despite that limit, it has taken me longer than I had anticipated to select the material I would show, shoot and prepare the photos, put it in order and write it up. Herewith, the family of Philip. Philip - M Julius Philippus (244-249 AD) IMP M IVL PHILLIPVS AVG (244-247) (Left facing) CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia std L, patera and cornucopiae This reverse saw considerable use and adaptation on the coins of Otacilia Severa (cf Donna above), but here it appears on a coin of Philip, opposite his left facing portrait on the obverse. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG (247-249) FIDES EXERCITVS Four standards, one with legionary eagle Placating the military puts a smile on the emperors face. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG (247-249) TRANQVILLITVS AVGG with B (greek numeral officina mark) As I noted above with the SAECVLARES series above, applying identifying marks for the officinae was being explored under Philip. Instead of Roman numerals in the reverse exergue, here the use of a field mark with a Greek numeral demonstrates an alternative approach. IMP PHILIPPVS AVG (247-249) SAECVLVM NOVVM Roma seated in hexastyle temple This type was shown above by Donna in silver, but the example here is most noticeably struck in potin, an alloy of copper, tin, and lead which may have incuded varying amounts of silver as well. Silver debasement was becoming significant under Philip, and merits attention hereafter. IMP C M IVL PHILIPPVS PF AVG PM Antioch VIRTVS E - XERCITVS This coin is an Imperial antoninianus struck in debased silver (still above potin level) by the mint at Antioch. Most of the product from that mint was in Greek denominations, (cf Al Kowsky and others above) so Imperial antoniniani from there are considered rare. Philip - M Julius Severus Philippus (247-249 AD) In comparison to the imperial silver for his father, the coins of Philip II had a fair proportion of types posted above by others. I will show two, both of which are variants on types posted above. IMP PHILIPPVS CAES PRINCIPI IVVENT This is a rather common type, made more so by the fact that the reverse figure faces right or left. Oddly, the examples above only show the left facing figure (unless I missed one), so I thought I would add this. [It is a nice coin and I wanted to show it anyway.] IMP PHILIPPVS AVG LIBERALITAS AVGG III This type I know was shown earlier out of the gate by *expat, but this example shows something a little extra. On the obverse in the right margin there appear markings which could be residual from an earlier strike on the flan. They would seem to fall within the beading rising from below, but outside the beading situated above the PVS. Marcia Otacilia Severa Considering the plentiful supply I was suprised that only three Imperial reverse types for Otacilia were shown by others on antoniniani. CONCORDIA AVGG [John Conduitt and Donna] and PIETAS AVGVSTAE (Qcumbor) and SAECULARES AVGG (officia 4) [Donna and me]. The coins of Otacilia Severa can be arranged in 8 groupings, with four principle obverse inscription types. We will only sample some of the other reverses used in all that, but they will be arranged chronologically according to the obverse inscription typology. Issue 2 – 245 A.D. (Long obverse legend: MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG) PVDICITIA AVG RIC 123c ..This was the definitive type for this 2nd issue. Issue 3 – 245-247 A.D. (2nd obverse legend: M. OTACIL SEVERA AVG) (actually used 246-248) The CONCORDIA AVGG type shown earlier, with double cornucopiae, is part of this issue. CONCORDIA AVGG (altar left, single cornucopia) RIC 126 The reverse side "altar" appears as an extension of the throne beyond the knee of the seated figure. IVNO CONSERVAT RIC 127* In the RIC Introduction (Mattingly) this type is attributed as the first issue for her from the mint at Antioch. However, the main catalog (Sutherland/Carson) lists it for both Rome and Antioch on the ground that some doubt exists(which means editors disagree). The example below has some differences in the portrait which might have been from the hand of an engraver in Rome. But perhaps this next example conveys the Roman spirit at its best. Here the reverse inscription dedicates the coin not to IVNO Conservat, but to VINO CONSERVAT. Which of all these reflects the truest Roman style remains to be seen. Issue 4 – 247 (short obverse legend: OTACIL SEVERA AVG) CONCORDIA AVGG (altar left, single cornucopia) RIC 126 The reverse side "altar" appears as an extension of the throne beyond the knee of the seated figure. This is the same reverse side design as in the third issue above, but now with the shorter obverse legend. Issue 5 – 248A.D. .........SAECVLARES AVGG RIC 116b ..................(hippopotamus // IIII) Numbered for officina in Roman Numerals in reverse side exergue. (see examples in earlier posts above) Issue 6 – 248A.D. Obverse unchanged. Reverse: Officinae numbered in Greek numerals. PIETAS AVGG – (Greek mint mark) Δ delta ......Pietas stg left raising r. hand, holding box of perfume in left. To her left, flaming altar. This type also exists in potin, which appears to have begun to be produced toward the end of Philips, reign, around 247-248.

Beginning at the end. The celebration of the Roman millenium in 248 gave rise to an iconic set of coins. Here is a core set of the animal designs arranged by officina number, from the Roman numerals in the reverse exergue. Philip leads off: Officina 1 -lion to R Philip leads off: Officina 2 - she wolf and twins to L Philip junior gets in a lick: Officina 3- gazelle to L Let's not forget mother Otacilia: Officina 4 - hippopotamus to R Then its back to Dad, Officina 5 - stag to R And Philip brings it home: Officina 6 - Antelope to L For these this is only the tip of the iceberg. There is lots of variation in the positions of the animals, to say nothing of other approaches to the SAECULARES AVGG reverse types.

Open question for those who started this topic and created the timetable: Considering the fact that there are empty slots for September 11 and 13, and the fact that there is a large volume of potentially interesting reverses among the coins of Philip and his family, particularly in view of the push for special types honoring the anniversary of Rome in 248, any chance we could bump Trajan Decius to Sept 11 and expand the time for Philip and family to cover the "void"? What actually were/are you looking for on Sept 11-14?

If you saw this without writeup, a system glitch stripped the original upload of its writeup, but preserved the images. Here is the gist of what I had said. Up to now I have been using the listings in the catalog Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum by Harold Mattingly for the rationale behind my listings here. That, however, concluded with the coins of Balbinus and Pupienus. Going forward my primary reference guide will be the volumes in Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC). My plan in showing this group of coins was to show an example or two of the silver coins of Gordian III for each of the five (and a half) "issues" of his standard coinage. An "issue" is marked by the chronology of an obverse inscription and the reverse types that can be associated with it based on hoard evidence. Unfortunately, I cannot provide examples for the first two issues, and the final single type. Type 3: 240 AD - a. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG RIC 38 - ROMAE AETERNAE RIC 39 - VIR TVS AVG Type 3: 240 AD - b. IMP CAES GORDIANVS PIVS AVG (NOT SHOWN) Type 3: 240 AD - c. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG RIC 65 - CONCORDIA MILIT Type 4: 241-243 AD - IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG RIC 81 - PM TR P III COS PP (denarius) RIC 86 -LAETITIA AVG N Special Wedding Issue: 241 AD - RIC 130 -SECVRITAS PVBLICA (denarius) Type 5: 243-244 AD - IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG RIC 144 -FORTVNA REDVX (with wheel beneath the seat of Fortuna) RIC ??? -FORTVNA REDVX (below) RIC 210 - FORTVNA REDVX from Antioch Coins for Gordian from the mint at Antioch can be hard to spot. For quite some time I had imagined this example without the wheel beneath the seat was an error type. However, other comparisons suggest a better alternative. Comparison of the head of Gordian on these last two coins suggest that they were not produced at the same mint. I have a mate to the second coin whose characteristics are similar in the obverse portrait and absence of wheel in the reverse. The RIC listing for this type from the mint at Antioch makes no mention of the wheel. Given the portrait differences as well, I now believe this coin to have been minted at Antioch, not Rome as was the upper coin.

Since my imperial silver is limited to Gordian III, I will start with some Roman provincials for the couple and pick him up later. AE27 of Marcianopolis: Showing the couple face to face on the obverse, their names spelled out in Greek surround. On Reverse: an effigy of Athena/Minerva decked out for battle with shield in R hand, spear (point down) in L hand, and wearing a visored Corinthian helmet. AE23 of Anchialos: Again with couple face-to-face on the obverse, and a charming image of Artemis/Diana on reverse with cap. bow, and a stag peeking out from behind at her right (our left). The next two are silver pieces (drachmae) from the mint at Caesaria in Cappadocia (in lieu of Imperial silver from Rome for Tranquillina). Both feature the peak of Mt Argaeus, which is an inactive volcano in Cappadocia. The name translates as "bright" or "white" from the Greek, and hints that the mount, which has recreational value today when snow covered, may have been so treated in antiquity. Climbers in antiquity reported that both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean could be seen from the summit.

The two ants and the denarius that I have for these two have already been shown, and in better grade for one of the ants. No sense gilding the lily. Can't get decent color rendition on the pics anyway. As for the Gordians? Fu-gedda-bout-it! Until we get to Gordian III. For now I will enjoy YOUR coins, and thank you for showing them.