Orange Julius Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 (edited) 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). Edited February 26, 2023 by Orange Julius 27 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordianAppreciator101 Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 It's kinda cheating to use Probus' coinage to show good artistry from the late Antoniniani-Aurelianiani era but... One can never go wrong with Probus. Then taking a little detour, I absolutely love this portrait of Victorinus, even if the reverse isn't the best 23 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 26, 2023 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted February 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 26, 2023 Some mints still had better engravers than others, but by this time period it was not something deemed to be as important as during the golden age of producing great imagery on coinage, alongside poor metal quality and dies used after their effectiveness was past as stated above. I like Lugdunum pieces in this era 18 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 26, 2023 (edited) 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! Edited February 26, 2023 by Orange Julius 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted February 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 26, 2023 I've always thought this Valerian portrait and reverse as nicely engraved for the time period.. Valerian I AR Antoninianus.Rome AD 255-256 ...2.93g Obverse..IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG, radiate, draped bust right Reverse..FELICITAS AVGG, Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopiae. RIC 87, Cohen 55; Sear 9936. Also this sweet portrait of Gallienus.. Gallienus, Antoninianus, Minted AD 258-259 (Joint reign) Obverse..GALLIENVS dot P dot F dot AVG Radiate, curaissed bust right Reverse..GERMANICVS MAX V trophy between two seated and bound German captives RIC VI#18 variant obv legend dots..Cologne 20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jims,Coins Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 Bronze coin (AE Antoninianus) minted at Rome during the reign of CLAUDIUS II GOTHICUS between 268 - 270 A.D. Obv. IMP.C.CLAVDIVS.AVG.: Rad. & cuir. bust r. Rev. AEQVITAS.AVG. Equity standing l., holding scales & sceptre. RCS #3195. RICV #14. DVM #3. AR Antoninianus (23 mm, 4.07 g., 6h) minted at Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne) during the reign of GALLIENUS between 257-258 A.D. 1st. emission. Obv. GALLIENVS.P.F.AVG. Radiate, draped, & cuirassed bust right. Rev. GERMANICVS.MAX.V. Trophy, bound captive seated to left & right. RCS #2961. RICV #18. RSC #308. Toned, edge split, VF. 18 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jims,Coins Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 Billon Coin (AE Denarius) minted at Rome for SEVERINA, Wife of AURELIAN, in 274 A.D. Obv. SEVERINA.AVG.: Diad. & dr. bust r., resting on crescent. Rev. VENVS.FELIX.: Venus stg. l., holding cupid and sceptre. SEAR #3287. RSC #14. RICV #6. DVM #6. 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 26, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 26, 2023 Claudius Gothicus, 268-270 C.E. Note the realistic portrait and sharply defined reverse motif... Tacitus, (275-276 C.E.) 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ominus1 Posted February 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 26, 2023 fine examples..in this time period the celators had bets going on if yesterdays emperor would be todays... Herennius Etruscus 1st Roman emperor to die in battle, 251 AD 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 26, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 26, 2023 (edited) Forgot this one, ex -Marc Breitsprecher...the third one shown this far in this thread except this one has spear and shield hoisted by Gallienus... I rather like the portrait which shows a martial Gallienus holding spear and shield, celebrating victories over the Germans during the joint reign of Valerian and Gallienus. It celebrates the acclimation of Gallienus as Germanicus Maximus for the fifth time. Since we all know what happened as the years went by in his reign, the initial successes did not last. Still however, the early part of his reign might not actually have been as disastrous as Edward Gibbon paints it, nor was Gallienus as inept and cowardly as he is described by sources such as Aurelius Victor. In recent years, scholarship has revised our picture of this emperor who afterall did reign for 15 years at the height of the military and economic crises facing the empire. His reputation has been somewhat rehabilitated by historians such as Harry Sidebottom. Date: 257-258 C.E., AR antoninianus Obverse: GALLIENVS P F AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust left, holding spear over right shoulder, and shield at left shoulder Reverse: GERMANICVS MAX V, Trophy of armor with two bound captives seated at base Size: 23.31 mm Weight: 2.99 grams Attribution: RIC Vii 18, rare 3 Edited February 26, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter removed bad link 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabius Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 Great idea for a thread. Like @expat I have chosen a Carinus coin from the Lugdunum mint: Apparently that is Carinus himself posing on the reverse 17 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 2 minutes ago, Fabius said: Great idea for a thread. Like @expat I have chosen a Carinus coin from the Lugdunum mint: Apparently that is Carinus himself posing on the reverse Impressive 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 I like Probus and Lugdunum.... they meet nicely in this coin Probus 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). RIC 64 Bust Type G (S) Appears to be an obverse die match to the plate example in Bastien 20 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 Numerian looks vaguely regal here Numerian Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C NVMERIANVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right Rev:– VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus standing left holding Victory, who is holding a wreath and palm and inverted spear Mint – Lugdunum (C | _) Emission 9 Officina 3. Summer A.D. 284 Reference(s) – Cohen 103. Bastien 616 (3). RIC 400 Bust Type F. 4.74 g, 23.69 mm. 0 degrees 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 Victorinus Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C M PIAVVONIVS VICTORINVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left holding two standards Minted in mint I. 269 A.D. Issue 1 Reference:– RIC 108; Elmer 648; AGK (corr.) 5a; 2.97gms. 20.22mm. 0 degrees 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted February 26, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 26, 2023 Always liked Valerian II portraits. Including the one on my coin - too bad the reverse die was not in the best shape! I think the portrait and the level of artistry in general is superior to the average coins in the era. I also intend to buy the Valerian II antoninianus with young Jupiter riding the goat (not my coin) for the same reasons. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted February 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 26, 2023 Here is another Probus. I always thought there was a lot going on with the reverse. Probus AD 276-282. Serdica Antoninianus Æ 22 mm, 3,53 g very fine From the Tareq Hani collection 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dafydd Posted February 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 26, 2023 Another Victorinus, 269-271 AD, ANTONINIANUS 22.1 mm, 3.08 gms Ex-Michael Trenerry. As with @GordianAppreciator101 my eye was drawn more to the obverse than the rather weak reverse. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cazador Posted February 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 27, 2023 4 hours ago, maridvnvm said: I like Probus and Lugdunum.... they meet nicely in this coin Probus 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). RIC 64 Bust Type G (S) Appears to be an obverse die match to the plate example in Bastien Fantastic reverse!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humilau Posted February 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) My usual go to for nice looking 3rd Century artistry and Probus in general. Obv: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG Rev: MARS VICTOR / III Mint: Lugdunum Emission: 5 Officina: 3 Bust: E1 bust with attic-styled helmet Obv: VIRTVS PROBI AVG Rev: ADVENTVS PROBI AVG / KA Mint: Siscia Emission: 2 Officina: 3 Bust: E1 Part of the rare KA series from Siscia Edited February 27, 2023 by Humilau 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted February 27, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 27, 2023 I have no reverses from the relevant period that are anything special, but there's something about this portrait of Valerian I that seems more "human" to me than most Imperial portraits of the time: I like this Postumus portrait: And these portraits of Carinus and Numerian from Ticinum -- with rather peculiar-looking reverses of Felicitas and Providentia (the latter with the attributes of Annona) that look like they might have been engraved by the same person: 15 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted February 27, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 27, 2023 I consider this Valerian I to show exceptionally skilled die-work for the period: Valerian I, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 253/4 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG; bust of Valerian, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: APOLINI PROPVG; Apollo, nude except for cloak flying behind, standing r., drawing bow. 22mm, 3,58. Ref: RIC V Valerian 74; MIR 36, 44d. 13 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted February 27, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 27, 2023 @Ursus...Nice coin!...Lovely portrait! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted February 27, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 27, 2023 A youthful portrait of this elderly senator (75 years old) promoted to Emperor by the Senate. Tacitus Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C CL TACITVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– PROVID DEOR, Providentia standing left, holding baton and cornucopia; at foot, globe Minted in Lugdunum (no marks), Emission 1, from October to December A.D. 275 References:– Cohen 64. Bastien 41. RIC 49 Bust Type C 4.23gms. 21.98mm. 180 degrees 10 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.