Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[DonnaML]

As with Carus (and Numerian), I have only one:

Carinus, AE Antoninianus, Feb/Mar 283 [promotion to Augustus] - Spring 285 [death of Carinus], Ticinum Mint [now Pavia, Italy] (3rd Officina). Obv. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP CARINVS P F AVG / Rev. Felicitas standing facing, head left, left elbow resting on column, holding caduceus with raised right hand, FELICIT PVBLICA; in exergue, TXXI [3rd Officina, 20/1 copper/silver ratio of alloy]. RIC V-2 295, Sear RCV III 12343 (ill.), Cohen 24, Pink [Karl Pink 1949] p. 29, Series 4. 23.6 mm., 3.83 g. [For dating, see http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/ ]

 

[mc9]

Numerianus :

The first portrait is my favorite.

IMP NVMERIANVS P F AVG : radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right

PROVIDENT AVGG // VIXXI : Providentia standing left holding ears of corn and cornucopiae, modius at foot

Antoninianus. Ticinum, AD 283-284, RIC Vb 447

IMP C M AVR NVMERIANVS PF AVG : radiate and cuirassed bust to right

VIRTVS AVGG. * TR / XXI : emperor standing right, holding parazonium and receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing left, holding sceptre, * above, TR between, XXI in exergue

Antoninianus. Tripoli, AD 283, RIC Vb 380

[Jims,Coins]

It's 4 pm Eastern standard time: Time to post Numerian

on the schedule it has: Mar. 29 - Numerian 283-284

Bronze coin (AE Antoninianus) minted at Cyzicus during the reign of NUMERIAN between 283 - 284 A.D. Obv. IMP.C.NVMERIANVS.P.F.AVG.: Radiate, draped bust r. Rev. CLEMENTIA.TEMP.: NUMERIAN receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter, in ex. XXI. in field, B. RCS #3428. RICV #463 pg.201. DVM #4 pg.264. F+/AVF, fairly rough but centered & nice with strongly highlighted patina.

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Jims,Coins

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Numerian, Feb/March 283 - Oct/Nov 284 C.E.

Roman Provincial Egypt Billon Tetradrachm, 8.26 grams, 20.7 mm, Alexandria mint

Obverse: AK M A NOVMEPIANOC CEB Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: Athena seated left on high backed throne, wearing crested helmet, long scepter in left hand, Nike offering wreath in right hand.

Reference: Köln 3192-3193; Dattari 5607, Emmett 4013; Sear 12272

Comment: I particularly enjoy the patina on this coin, as well as the finely crafted reverse. 

[DonnaML]

@Ancient Coin Hunter, you tricked me into posting Carinus two days early! 

Everyone please pretend I didn't post that, and look at this Numerian instead -- same mint, and a similar appearance for the reverse personification, suggesting the possibility that the engraver was the same for both.

Numerian, AE Antoninianus, Feb/Mar 283 [promotion to Augustus] - Nov. 284 [death of Numerian], Ticinum Mint [now Pavia, Italy] (6th Officina). Obv. Radiate and cuirassed bust right, IMP NVMERIANVS P F AVG / Rev. Providentia* standing facing, head left, holding corn ears with right hand over modius at feet left, and holding  in right arm, PROVIDENT AVGG; in exergue, VIXXI [6th Officina, 20/1 copper/silver ratio of alloy]. RIC V-2  447, Sear RCV III 12253, Cohen 83, Pink [Karl Pink 1949] p. 29, Series 4. 22.6 mm., 4.15 g. Ex Pegasi Numismatics, Auction 41, Dec. 11, 2019, Lot 627. Formerly in NGC slab, Cert. No. 5768552-009, Graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface 4/5.) For dating, see http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

1 hour ago, DonnaML said:

@Ancient Coin Hunter, you tricked me into posting Carinus two days early! 

Everyone please pretend I didn't post that, and look at this Numerian instead -- same mint, and a similar appearance for the reverse personification, suggesting the possibility that the engraver was the same for both.

Numerian, AE Antoninianus, Feb/Mar 283 [promotion to Augustus] - Nov. 284 [death of Numerian], Ticinum Mint [now Pavia, Italy] (6th Officina). Obv. Radiate and cuirassed bust right, IMP NVMERIANVS P F AVG / Rev. Providentia* standing facing, head left, holding corn ears with right hand over modius at feet left, and holding  in right arm, PROVIDENT AVGG; in exergue, VIXXI [6th Officina, 20/1 copper/silver ratio of alloy]. RIC V-2  447, Sear RCV III 12253, Cohen 83, Pink [Karl Pink 1949] p. 29, Series 4. 22.6 mm., 4.15 g. Ex Pegasi Numismatics, Auction 41, Dec. 11, 2019, Lot 627. Formerly in NGC slab, Cert. No. 5768552-009, Graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface 4/5.) For dating, see http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Carus/

 

Please excuse my mistake Donna. I got the order reversed on Numerian and Carinus, so I have deleted the Carinus until 31 March. In my brain I was thinking older son, younger son next. Went back to my schedule which I had printed out and I see that's the case.....

[ambr0zie]

My only Numerian 

Numerian AD 283-284. Rome
Antoninianus Æ
22 mm, 3,47 g
IMP NVMERIANVS AVG, bust of Numerian, radiate, cuirassed, right / VNDIQVE VICTORES, Numerian, draped, cuirassed, standing left, holding globe in right hand and sceptre in left hand; on either side, captive
MintMark: -/-//KAΓ; OfficinaMark: ς
RIC V Carus 423
 

[Shea19]

My only Numerian:

Numerian, Antoninianus, 283 A.D., (22 mm, 3.91 g), Rome mint, Δ = 4th officina, IMP C NVMERIANVS P F AVG Radiate and cuirassed bust of Numerian to right./ Rev. PIETAS AVGG / ΚΑΔ Mercury standing facing, head left, holding purse in right hand and caduceus in left. RIC 414.

Edited March 30, 2023 by Shea19

[DonnaML]

4 hours ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

Please excuse my mistake Donna. I got the order reversed on Numerian and Carinus, so I have deleted the Carinus until 31 March. In my brain I was thinking older son, younger son next. Went back to my schedule which I had printed out and I see that's the case.....

No problem; I was just kidding.

[dougsmit]

You folks confuse me greatly making a 'thing' about which of the two should come first.  Numerian died first but which of the two gained the title of Augustus first or were they simultaneous?  On what evidence do you base that answer?   I'm sorry I missed Carinus, if I did.  Numerian also has a few hard to answer questions when it comes to the 'rule' so important to some people that coins with AVGGG refer to a time with three Augusti.  That makes a couple of my Numerian as Caesar 'interesting' since it has the AVGGG reverse and the NOBC obverse.   Of course my favorite is the one with boardwalk margins but I considered them each to be 'different' enough to warrant buying.   

My confusion gets worse.  I do not have an Alexandrian tetradrachm of Numerian but, if I were to restart buying, it might be high on my list.  Emmett lists coins of both sons as Caesar for LA (year one). Carinus has coins as Augustus listed as LA as well but LB has both for Numerian with no known LA Augustus coins.  Does this mean Carinus was made Augustus before the September cut off date used by the Alexandrian calendar OR doe it mean that he, but not his brother abandoned the Carus dating and restarted LA when he became Augustus?  Both of them ended the series with Lgamma suggesting neither was seem as current at the start of the new year that would have been four.  Perhaps the guys at the mint were as confused as I am.  BTW, Emmett lists Carinus first and Numerian second.  I don't know who started the idea that Numerian's coin should be listed first. but I don't see where the matter is all that important either.  Sear listed Carinus first in his Greek Imperial book and Numerian first in his Roman Coins single volume.  (I don't own his Millennium volume for them).  Raz put Carinus first in ERIC (I).  Sorry I missed Carinus if I did.  I have seven of his, too, but that is a mere accident since I never believed in the concept of one coin per emperor.   Trivia:  Using Emmett ratings, both sons most rare tets were the ones showing the two shaking hands.  Hmmmmm.  Do you think there could have been something like an undercover Geta like thing here?  Who has any evidence they liked each other? There are DIVO NVMERIANO coins but I do not have one. 

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by dougsmit

[DonnaML]

1 hour ago, dougsmit said:

You folks confuse me greatly making a 'thing' about which of the two should come first.  Numerian died first but which of the two gained the title of Augustus first or were they simultaneous?  On what evidence do you base that answer?   I'm sorry I missed Carinus, if I did.  Numerian also has a few hard to answer questions when it comes to the 'rule' so important to some people that coins with AVGGG refer to a time with three Augusti.  That makes a couple of my Numerian as Caesar 'interesting' since it has the AVGGG reverse and the NOBC obverse.   Of course my favorite is the one with boardwalk margins but I considered them each to be 'different' enough to warrant buying.   

My confusion gets worse.  I do not have an Alexandrian tetradrachm of Numerian but, if I were to restart buying, it might be high on my list.  Emmett lists coins of both sons as Caesar for LA (year one). Carinus has coins as Augustus listed as LA as well but LB has both for Numerian with no known LA Augustus coins.  Does this mean Carinus was made Augustus before the September cut off date used by the Alexandrian calendar OR doe it mean that he, but not his brother abandoned the Carus dating and restarted LA when he became Augustus?  Both of them ended the series with Lgamma suggesting neither was seem as current at the start of the new year that would have been four.  Perhaps the guys at the mint were as confused as I am.  BTW, Emmett lists Carinus first and Numerian second.  I don't know who started the idea that Numerian's coin should be listed first. but I don't see where the matter is all that important either.  Sear listed Carinus first in his Greek Imperial book and Numerian first in his Roman Coins single volume.  (I don't own his Millennium volume for them).  Raz put Carinus first in ERIC (I).  Sorry I missed Carinus if I did.  I have seven of his, too, but that is a mere accident since I never believed in the concept of one coin per emperor.   Trivia:  Using Emmett ratings, both sons most rare tets were the ones showing the two shaking hands.  Hmmmmm.  Do you think there could have been something like an undercover Geta like thing here?  Who has any evidence they liked each other? There are DIVO NVMERIANO coins but I do not have one. 

 

Don't worry, you haven't missed Carinus! And I don't think anyone is seriously making a "thing" about the order; we all understand that the schedule is necessarily somewhat arbitrary in places. FYI, Sear's Millennium volumes also put Numerian before Carinus.

[wittwolff]

If we can believe the sources Numerian was more of a poet than an emperor. His portraits also deliver us a man looking much less militaristic than most third century Emperors aswell.

[Qcumbor]

Numerian as Caesar

Numerianus, Antoninianus - Ticinium mint, 5th officina, 2nd emission, Dec 282 CE
M AVR NVMERIANVS NOB C, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Numerianus, seen from behind
PRINCIPI IVVENTUT, Prince of youth standing left, holding baton and sceptre. VXXI at exergue
3,35 gr, 23 mm
Ref : RCV #12219, Cohen #76, RIC vol V #366

 

Q

[Roman Collector]

We're on Numerian now? Here's my most photogenic coin of the man -- thanks to some "maybe it's Maybelline."


Numerian, Augustus AD 283-284.
Roman billon Antoninianus, 4.09 g, 20 mm.
Cyzicus, Feb/Mar 283-Nov 284.
Obv: IMP C NVMERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: CLEMENTIA TEMP, Numerian standing right, holding short scepter and receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing left, holding scepter; officina mark B in field; in exergue, XXI.
Refs: RIC 463; Cohen 8; RCV 12243.

[Julius Germanicus]

This Medallion (a unique variety of a very rare type, struck from a single obverse die) was likely handed to a Senator or other high ranking official by Emperor Carinus in person in August 283 A.D. during his stay at Rome for the ceremony of Numerian´s inauguration as Co-Augustus (in absence).

IMP C AVR NVMERIANVS AVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Numerian right, viewed from behind

MONETA AVGG – the three Monetae standing facing side by side, their heads turned to left, each holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand and with pile of metal at her feet (the cornucopiae held by the central figure curved to the right)

AE-Medallion, Rome mint, 1.-10. August 283 (3rd emission, according to Pink)

32,55 mm / 20,87 gr / 12h

Cohen (Medailles Imperiales VI, 2nd ed. 1880) Numerian, Nr. 32 (this coin, citing Claude Rollin); Rollin & Feuardent, Catalogue d´une Collection de Médailles Romaines (Vol.3, 1880) Nr. 7205 (this coin);  Gnecchi, I Medaglioni Romani (Vol 2, 1912) Numerian Nr. 9 (this coin, citing Hirsch "Consul Weber" Auction); Wildwinds Numerian No.1 (this coin); Pink, Die Medaillonprägung unter Carus und seinen Söhnen (1958) Nr.18 (this coin discussed, citing Naville Bement Auction); this coin will also be cited in the next edition of RIC.

From the collections of Claude Camille Rollin (1813-1883), Eduard Friedrich Weber (1830-1907), Clarence S. Bement (1843-1923), and Paul Tinchant (1893-1981); Auctions Jacob Hirsch 10.05.1909 (Consul Weber) Nr.2424 (this coin illustrated); Naville VIII 25.06.1924 (C.S. Bement) Nr. 1428; Schulman 243, 08.10.1966 (Richard J. Graham) Nr. 2507; Gadoury 02.10.2018, Nr. 226

From my writeup at Cointalk:

"Numerianus was hailed Caesar at Ticinum in early December 282. He then joined his father on a highly successful campaign against the Sarmathians and Quadi in Pannonia before heading to the eastern capital of Antiochia, where Numerianus was hailed Imperator in mid February, 283. Carinus was left behind to guard the western provinces and would never see his brother again. In early April Numerianus joined Carus´ great Persian campaign to take revenge for the capture of Emperor Valerian in 260. Carus probably invaded Mesopotamia using the road via Beroea and Resaina to Nisibis and from there parallel to the Tigris river passing Carrhae and then took Coche (formerly Seleucia) and finally the Sasanidian capital Ctesiphon in June. In early July however, Carus suddenly died, either struck by lightning, a stroke, or the victim of a plague that Numerian may also have contracted.

The news of Carus´ death must have reached Rome by express courier service from Mesopotamia in about 14 days, it must have taken another three to four days to reach Carinus at Milan, where he was celebrating his wedding with Magnia Urbica. After completing the wedding celebration and honoring Numerian as new Augustus and Co-Emperor, Carinus left Milan in early August and travelled to Rome in company of his wife and the imperial guard. He must have reached the capital by mid or late August of 283, which marked the first visit to the capital by a member of the imperial family.

Meanwhile the roman mint prepared an emission (it´s 3rd during the rule of Carus and his sons) of Aurei and Antoniniani to celebrate the victories in Germany and Persia, while the elevation of Numerianus was celebrated with an issue of AE Medallions bearing his laureate portrait on the obverse combined with the three Monetae, the traditional reverse type for large Medallions at the time. These would be the first Medallions created in the name of Numerianus (none were minted for him as Caesar) and the only ones struck for him at the Rome mint."

Edited March 31, 2023 by Julius Germanicus

[Severus Alexander]

My best Numerian portrait is one of the Luxuriant Locks Ticinum coins.  I see there are a number of fans of this style among earlier posters!

[mc9]

Some Carinus and a Magnia Urbica coin,

IMP M AVR CARINVS NOB C : Radiate and cuirassed bust of Carinus to right, seen from behind

VIRTVS AVGG / B / XXI : Carinus standing to right, holding short scepter in his left hand, receiving Victory on globe from Jupiter standing to left, holding long scepter in his left hand

Antoninianus, Siscia, RIC Vb 207

IMP CARINVS P F AVG : Radiate and cuirassed bust of Carinus to right.

FIDES MILITVM // KAЄ : Fides standing left, holding two signa

Antoninianus, Lugdunum, A.D. 284, RIC Vb 253

M AVR CARINVS CAES : radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

PIETAS AVGG //ZKA : Sprinkler, simpulum, jug, patera, knife, and lituus

Antoninianus,Rome, AD. 282-283, RIC Vb 155

MAGN VRBICA AVG : draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent

IVNO REGINA  // KAΓ: Juno standing left holding patera and sceptre; KAΓ in exergue.

Antoninianus, Lugdunum, AD 283-285, RIC 341

[DonnaML]

Time for Carinus, so I'll just cross-reference my (premature) post above with my one coin of his: https://www.numisforums.com/topic/2120-emperors-of-rome-a-chronological-portrait-gallery/page/47/#comment-46782

Unfortunately, I have nothing for his wife Magnia Urbica. Nice specimens of her coins seem to be quite expensive.

 

[Qcumbor]

My only Carinus

Carinus, Antoninianus - Rome mint, 2nd officina, 5th emission, Nov 284 CE
IMP CARINVS PF AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust of Carinus right
IOVI VI - CTORI, Jupiter standing left, holding victory and sceptre. Eagle at feet. KAB at exergue
4,25 gr, 22 mm
Ref : RCV #12348, Cohen #45, RIC vol V #257

Q

[expat]

Same here, my only Carinus

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Carinus from Egypt. 

Carinus (283-284 C.E.)

Potin Tetradrachm of Alexandria, 19mm 7.19 grams

Year 2 = 284 C.E.

Obverse: A K M A KAΡINOC CEB, laureate, cuirassed bust right

Reverse: L-B, Elpis standing left holding flower and hem of skirt.

Reference: Milne 4701-3, BMC 2454, Koln 3177 

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of CARINUS between 283 - 285 A.D. Obv. IMP.CARINVS.P.F.AVG.: Radiate, draped bust r. Rev. AETERNIT.AVGG.: Aeternitas standing left, holding Phoenix on globe, & lifting robe, in ex. KAr. RCS #3463. RICV #248 pg.170. DVM #5 pg.265.

Bronze coin (AE Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of CARINUS between 283 - 285 A.D. Obv. IMP.CARINVS.P.F.AVG.: Radiate, draped & cuir. bust r. Rev. GENIVS.EXERCITI.: Genius standing left, holding patera & cornucopia, in ex. KAA. RCS #3467. RICVpii #256 pg.171. DVM #10 pg.265. Surface is a little rough but legends are very bold.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Silvered antoninianus, RIC V 212, SRCV III 12339, C 8, VF, Lugdunum (Lyon) mint, weight 2.587g, maximum diameter 22.3mm, die axis 180o, 283 A.D.; obverse IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse AEQVITAS AVGG, Aequitas standing left, scales in right, cornucopia in l eft, A (1st officina) right;  

[wittwolff]

My only Carinus:

[ambr0zie]

Carinus, as Caesar

Carinus, as Caesar AD 282-283. Rome
Antoninianus Æ
20 mm, 3,61 g
M AVR CARINVS NOB CAES, bust of Carinus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right / PIETAS AVGG, pontifical implements, variously arranged
MintMark: -/-//KAZ
RIC V Carus 155
 

As Augustus, from Alexandria

Egypt, Alexandria. Carinus, 283-285. Potin Tetradrachm. 18,2 mm 6,93 g. RY 2 = 283/4.
Α Κ Μ Α ΚΑΡΙΝΟC CЄΒ Laureate and cuirassed bust of Carinus to right. Rev. L - B Elpis standing left, holding flower in her right hand and raising skirt with her left; to upper right, star.
Dattari (Savio) 5585. Emmett 4007.2. K&G 115.10. Sear 4779