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Roman Coins in Reverse - a Chronological Gallery


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 Unciae of the early republic...

1. Knuckle obverse with pellet reverse ,289 - 240 BCE...

image00241.jpg.4631280e19ffb2d3d68316e7a3480225.jpg

MTe6Rg8K9Ecpw49Z5QbnAtL2f3YXkB.jpg.8691c06bbe148161bc0031cadf98644a.jpg

and I really like this one -

m53862.jpg.a4fb7de32e1070418c9aff0965a28d5b.jpg

2. Knuckle / knuckle , 269 - 240 BCE...

6PqDbcB4C3jwtgN7Y8BgfG2CH59s9n.jpg.e14facf44948b264efe86ec6eece540c.jpg

 

3. Roma obverse , facing left with Prow of ship reverse , 240 - 225 BCE....

403.jpg.6189d046d34edd8a7eb555dc2943a910.jpg

 4. Struck Uncia around the time of the second Punic War , 217 BCE , with obverse of helmeted Roma and reverse of prow of ship...

Hi4Q99gN8T5kw33EFy74xQd28csMGK.jpg.bdd50a9ec0b8f247c70b1e95e46ade0c.jpg

Fd3xp7cSTa6b5PoWzgX8D4jmkGa9ZK.jpg.fc85e790e2a183891a87e1efdf1444b2.jpg

5.  Smallest denomination of the Aes Grave series - the Semuncia. Acorn obverse with S on reverse, 289 - 245 BCE....

125163.jpg.67f61f750d5f49debc5eef1b440e13e9.jpg

 

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I admire the strength of Nobilitas...

Commodus Denarius, 185
image.png.a99247c9412102b0483a86d2a70f7c4c.png
Rome. Silver, 18mm, 2.36g. Laureate bust of Commodus right; M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT. Nobilitas, draped, standing front, head right, holding sceptre in right hand and statuette of Minerva in extended left hand; NOBILIT AVG P M TR P XI IMP VIII COS V P P (RIC III, 139). Found near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.

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9 hours ago, Octavius said:

Here is a selection of Roman Republic Aes Grave Asses....

1. As with Apollo Obverse and reverse,  c. 280 - 245 BCE...

lot-5496119-XL.jpg.8e39db56ec665baf47af7d6c8e587d83.jpg

2. Aes Grave As with Roma obverse and wheel reverse, c. 269 - 245 BCE...

91000809.jpg.17171f84a3c3c85f322f59341c399273.jpg

3. As with Janus on obverse and prow of ship on reverse , c. 240 - 225 BCE...

m54662.jpg.3c1d568798b5c9955397f4278189d7cb.jpg

 

Octavius, You have a wonderful collection of cast bronze coinage 🤩. I know many of these coins are hefty, so can you give weight & size on a few of these🤔?

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On 9/10/2023 at 3:22 PM, Octavius said:

Some bronze sestertii of Decius...

 1. reverse of Pannoniae...

5b9MZ2fxdYF8X7kfyd6E9jACk3mGWP.jpg.0a3a94c12eecd61a119ae5fccf6c0294.jpgDzi4Q6Gp8Tz4wiM27a9YtLr9B5kewg.jpg.514278f03d41ae64fc8ed8bdc9bc3af5.jpg

 

721666.jpg.6f85403e81aa447e8738a93b0bff3db5.jpg

 

2. Sestertius with reverse of Genius Exercitus... with Genius standing...

535718.jpg.8421d4800f89ca1ae08abbe62709ef3d.jpg

brm_532683.jpg.6c8f92b13615ac6e2096c3589bafd3f5.jpg

 

3. Sestertius  with Dacia reverse...

9z8Qy5HiE9y6fF7DTda3d8eSWBj42M.jpg.75a45a18bf30e215b44a970d11f2057d.jpg

3470531.jpg.a9d022c9339d46f9729c459a329beb59.jpg

220314019bz.jpg.aa55202b869e3ae94ed3b64553d0ef64.jpg

 

4. sestertius with reverse of Virtus seated...

7enTHJb6Yn4g3acLpE5z9fKT78iGDS.jpg.477e445ce4923672ce10acf3df6d66d8.jpg

 

5. sestertii with Victory reverse...

4090672.jpg.2981343a4f04ab1329dbb7658ac98eaf.jpg

557_1.jpg.a2ca3c61c275b632dcdc9ea2deca94b7.jpg

Wonderful group of Decius sestertii 🤩! There must have been some great engravers working at the Rome mint during his reign. Some of these portraits are masterpieces of verism.

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Some interesting Claudius reverse types I posted earlier, but have since taken much better photos and updated presentation -

I like the large hippo on this one! Too bad the date is gone, making an exact attribution impossible.

Claudiusdiobolhippo.jpg.2091bee8f80ea3dc2afe3479ac2b18a0.jpg

Claudiusdiobolbull.jpg.7988b2c6bc7c9aa755a3e62cc5b46822.jpg

And my newest Alexandrian coin of the stammering emperor, this little dichalkon, posted elsewhere:

Claudiusdichalkoneagle.JPG.f3f6b1c55dc5b88bd272d89937be01c8.JPG

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40 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Octavius, You have a wonderful collection of cast bronze coinage 🤩. I know many of these coins are hefty, so can you give weight & size on a few of these🤔?

 Thanks! I have a few wts. handy.

the first horse triens is 104gms, 4mm.

Apollo As is 288.9gms , 68mm.

Janus As is 260gms

shell sextans (pinkish one) 48.5 gms, 37mm

second boar quadrans weighs 78gms

Saturn Semis 153gms.

ramo secco weighs 900gms.

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Since we are still in the "Sept. 11-14 reprise period" I'd like to post 3 of my favorite Philip II tetradrachms from Antioch-Syria, all of which are rarities ☺️.

PhilipII.jpg.bafb44fa0cb90b0496de9bbb48dfcdec.jpg

Philip II as Caesar, AD 244 (issue without consulship). Obverse design: Philip II bare-headed, draped, & cuirassed, facing left & seen from the front. Reverse design: Eagle with spread wings standing on palm branch, wreath in beak. Billon tetradrachm: 11.70 gm, 25 mm, 12 h. McAlee 1011-1010 die pair. Ex. Rare & possibly unique. RPC VIII, unassigned ; ID 48130, the only example listed & illustrated.

Prieur402AMcAlee1032bAWKCollection.jpg.56628d80bf43ba55694f6c4dffb0e643.jpg

Philip II as Augustus, AD 247-249 (struck AD 247). Obverse design: Philip II with radiate crown, cuirassed & seen from the front. Reverse design: Eagle with spread wings & holding wreath in beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 12.23 gm, 25 mm, 6 h. Prieur 402A, this coin illustrated & the only one cited. McAlee 1032b, Ex. Rare. Ex Michel Prieur Collection. RPC VIII, unassigned; ID 29010. This coin illustrated.

PhilipIIAntiochSyriaMcAlee1054.jpg.684ac6c835ad0b3e3aa36a7f3674edde.jpg

Philip II as Augustus, AD 247-249 (struck AD 248). Obverse design: Philip with radiate crown, draped & cuirassed, seen from the front. Reverse design: Eagle with spread wings & holding wreath in beak. Billon Tetradrachm: 13.40 gm, 26 mm, 12 h. Prieur 470, 3 coins cited; McAlee 1054, V. Rare. RPC VIII, unassigned; ID 29179, this coin illustrated. 

 

 

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Trebonianus Gallus and a nice  Libertas reverse:

normal_Trebonianus_Gallus_1.jpg.f1d314b313447533d644570f9ab8f79c.jpg

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253 A.D.)
AR Antoninian, Rome Mint
Obv.: IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: LIBERTAS PVBLICA, Libertas standing left, with and scepter
Ag, 3.32g, 23mm
Ref.: RIC 70, RSC 68

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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)

1-Phil1-ant02b.jpg.0baaf69326b496e2668b1817878337df.jpg

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.

 

2-Phil1-ant01b.jpg.cd2e0c35873763fe7bfd1faffa473258.jpg

IMP PHILIPPVS AVG  (247-249)
FIDES EXERCITVS  Four standards, one with legionary eagle

Placating the military puts a smile on the emperors face.  

 

3-Phil1-ant03b.jpg.58d1d34c97cf7c47bee2a97c0fc96d2b.jpg

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.

 

 

4-Phil1-ant04b.jpg.1ca8ede9e540829c351f381f16551a24.jpg

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.

 

5-Philip-antioch01b.jpg.1f73f5c1bebf449663acf5f7822b9ca5.jpg

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.

 

1-Phil2-ant02b.jpg.7a2789dbc8fe91fcff0104081c2a7a09.jpg

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.]

 

2-Phil2-ant01b.jpg.9b213c0e17c050ef1e53d96d8920a023.jpg

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)

1-OtacilSev-ant06b.jpg.bc87be5bae4e12da098ddd655438324d.jpg

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.

2-OtacilSev-ant6-sm.jpg.2ced55f9002ba49ad909117d673bca28.jpg

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.

 

3-OtacilSev-ant05a.jpg.b122a7262d2fbb0cdf3820de6a1f5105.jpg

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.
4-OtacilSev-ant4-sm.jpg.124eb1254787689378b0cb9803356a52.jpg

 

But perhaps this next example conveys the Roman spirit at its best.

4-OtacilSev-ant01b.jpg.2e19825a257db16dbdfa98b640e61b6f.jpg

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)

5-OtacilSev-ant7-sm.jpg.0b95e71f1b9cf172369b7f7c2c265466.jpg

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.

6-OtacilSev-ant02a.jpg.e01815949cb8f38e21bfe6cc4b4bb6f0.jpg

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. 

Edited by lrbguy
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My only T-Bone

Gaius Vibius Trebonianus Gallus. Sestertius, Rome, AD 251-252

IMP CAES C VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVG, laureate, draped bust right / PIETAS AVGG, S-C, Pietas standing facing before lit altar, raising both hands.
RIC 117a; Cohen 86; Sear 9676.
23.15g. 28x31mm

 

ij7LG9opaN2m3wbDH63znCA4Jt5e8Q.jpg

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For Trebonianus Gallus and Volusian antoninanii I have two rather generic reverses 

image.png.87f5f06fc71c9ee35fbe585e88628946.png

21 mm, 3,77 g.

Trebonianus Gallus 251-253. AR antoninianus. Rome.

IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, bust of Trebonianus Gallus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right / LIBERTAS PVBLICA, Libertas, draped, standing left, holding pileus in right hand and transverse sceptre in left hand.

RIC IV Trebonianus Gallus 70; RSC 68.

image.png.61d5cd95efa46a3e4c0982b4aabdf3e1.png

22 mm, 2,97 g.

Volusian 251-253. AR antoninianus. Antioch.

IMP CV AF GAL VEND VOLVSIANO AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right / ROMAE AETERNAE AVG, Roma seated left with Victory and spear, shield at side. In exergue, 3 pellets.

RIC 234a var.

I like this coin because, even if it's not unique, I find the reverse with Roma seated very elegant. Also this is an unpublished variety with 3 pellets in the exergue. 

Another Volusian imperial coin I find interesting is this sestertius with an architectural design 

image.png.0bdf4f58a6b3dd0ad896e9761fa9395f.png

24 mm, 13,86 g.

Volusian 251-253. Æ sestertius. Rome.

IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, bust of Volusian, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right / IVNONI MARTIALI SC, round distyle temple, in which is seated Juno, front.

RIC IV Volusian 253a.

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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

1-TrebGal-ant04b.jpg.6b5ee88c7d3125be96c3cc63a9c35887.jpg

Trebonianus Gallus    Undated          RIC 32       Rome
IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG  
APOLL SALVTARI  

The obverse inscription is characteristic of Rome.

 

 

2-TrebGal-ant05b.jpg.e1280b2fae0d28d71631c8a69c30c6c3.jpg

Trebonianus Gallus  Undated          RIC 41  Rome
IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG  
PIETAS AVGG 
 
 

 

 

TrebGal-ant02b.jpg.00bb6cfe77621b768f847f20596d1f5d.jpg

Trebonianus Gallus  Undated          RIC 71   Milan
IMP C C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG 
PAX AETERNA
       

The obverse inscription is characteristic of Milan.

 

 

TrebGal-ant03a.jpg.23f897f2d8f9f53a3fd7745fef7ba571.jpg

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-ant01b.jpg.b2663bdbf16e36460abaabf275515e90.jpg

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-ant02a.jpg.e5a085a26b386f6b9807388435d80c5d.jpg

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.

 

 

Edited by lrbguy
fixed typo
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selection of Trebonianus Gallus coins...

 1. Ant. with Felicitas...

8543_an-pqud.jpg.d90b769c60b0f450c6fe211642217fc8.jpg

2. Ant / with Salus feeding serpent...

155559.jpg.1237f04c7eab5a0f07fa8e50276f672f.jpg

 

3. Ant with PIETAS...

PWz67ZHtQa2SMRe3pQ9A8bFDH5Fg5L.jpg.767ef2f8c9e03113785facb9a3eb4db4.jpg

4. Ant with reverse of LIBERTAS...

R105.jpg.0c4a111c3ed07092424d35edb817d9dc.jpg

5. Ant with Apollo....

V10115.jpg.2cd564d2045f8879e8239c92fa41f7df.jpg

 

6. Sestertii with reverse of PIETAS...

2ijPp5NxjS6X8Twnq7KArMo4g33REE.jpg.6cc54ef2fc44450c70bab43957e1f6af.jpg

3420666.jpg.0b13847715bba0d4c37b033ec4080b53.jpg

7. Sestertii with Virtus reverse....

cWR7Sk8k4nTZQ5ddjA3ef2GD9JmX9j.jpg.f5822ca7ba14552a456c1e7a729898a7.jpg

z52903.jpg.16d4c8e0d5babff671ba309082cfb8fc.jpg

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selection of Volusian...

 1. Ant with Pietas reverse...

4qbCzK5C2oTw9Rp87kQcMey3KD9fxY.jpg.44fffe5034a8ce7e857537601cea101d.jpg

2. Ant. with temple reverse...

PCW-R596.jpg.f5a62119e759f3f78bcd69d1dbac09e5.jpg

3. Ant with Concordia seated holding cornucopia...

155557.jpg.76c0d20d6f1b47a6d4bd34cf893eef24.jpg

4. Ant. with Salus reverse...

PCW-R1272.jpg.1d6920f8fae912c2220cb3047220807c.jpg

5.Ant. with AEQVITAS reverse , Aequitas holding scales...

jD9SJwf78QkWXo5574cApM2Y3iLsEd.jpg.7eb7ba17858ac81af6863b36b9e809c4.jpg9BrGRF2x8bT74tiCz5LCEK3k8Xoxcd.jpg.dded66629ca3d8888a4d81607fe4194f.jpg

6. Sestertius with Felicitas standing...

5Bkjb37JssG6a8AKNf9SjfM24gdTLe.jpg.7b9b24b83a1ecbfcc766f43c598a83c8.jpg

7. Sestertius with Concordia holding double cornucopia....

HCc86LYeby4EHFp73bBg8a2Nq9YN56.jpg.0f3898dc0c820e09b656eba21ca78e94.jpg

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  • Benefactor

Not much to add for these two:

Trebonianus Gallus, AR Antoninianus. 251-253 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG/ Rev. Felicitas standing left, leaning against column, holding short caduceus and transverse scepter, FELICITAS PVBLICA. RIC IV-3 34a, RSC IV 41. Scarce. 22mm, 3.46g.  

image.jpeg.ed8cde71110bc806c722e81c86d3beb6.jpeg

Volusian (son of Trebonianus Gallus), AR Antoninianus. 253 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG / Volusian as Genius of the Senate*, standing left, holding branch and scepter, P M TR P IIII COS II. RIC IV-3 140, RSC IV 92, Sear RCV III 9762.  21 mm., 3.74 g., 6 h.

image.jpeg.8c0f62244ba21928ffc28f22450d9508.jpeg

*Is that really "Volusian as" the Genius of the Senate on the reverse, as opposed to simply the Genius per se?  He looks kind of old to represent Volusian in any form!

I might as well post this one here too:

Anonymous colonial civic issue, AE 23, 251 - 260 AD (Trebonianus Gallus to Valerian I), Troas, Alexandria Troas Mint. Obv. Draped bust of Tyche right, wearing mural crown, vexillum inscribed CO AV over right shoulder, CO ALEX TR / Rev. Horse (of Erichthonius?)* grazing to right, COL AVG, TROAD in exergue. RPC IX 505 (see https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/9/505); Bellinger A486 [Alfred A. Bellinger, Troy, The Coins (Princeton 1961)]; BMC 17 Troas, 46 var. [diff. legends]; see also id. 45, 47-50 var. [Warwick Wroth,  A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Vol. 17, Troas, Aeolis, and Lesbos (London 1894)]; SNG Copenhagen 108-113 [Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Copenhagen, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Part 20, Troas (1945)]. 23 mm., 5.80 g.  Purchased from Kenneth W. Dorney, ex Pars Coins.

image.png.3f41614ef36e1112696c0ba895726e59.png

* See BMC 17 Troas at xviii, citing Cavedoni (Spicil., p. 151) for the suggestion that the grazing horse, first depicted on the coins of Alexandria Troas ca. 300 BCE, is one of the horses of Erichthonius, father of Tros, after whom Troas was named.
 

 

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A Mars for Aemilan and a capricorn for his wife Cornelia Supera

normal_Aemilian_1.jpg.c2fa23d864cab976d1113fc836bfcc12.jpg

Aemilianus (253)
Antoninian
Rome
Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, bust radiate, draped, cuirassed right
Rev: MAR-TI PACIF, Mars advancing left, holding branch, shield, and spear.
Ref.: RIC 15
Ag, 2.89g, 20.56mm

normal_Cornelia_Supera_R805_fac.jpg.caed17a823d24eca6d9e87160c7294b7.jpg

Mysia, Parium
Cornelia Supera (Augusta, 253)
Obv: G CORN SVPERA AVG, Diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: C G I H P, Capricorn right, holding globe; cornucopia above.
(C G I H P = Colonia Gemella Julia Hadriana Parian)
SNG von Aulock 7448, RPC IX 382
AE, 4.01g, 21 mm.

 

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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. 

 

Aemili-ant01a.jpg.1d04c8cd0f929f25c65a6cb285794e6b.jpg

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."

CornSupr-AE27.jpg.19114f82af69f52b645ec80e4efbc499.jpg

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.

Edited by lrbguy
added name
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It's Valerian now, isn't it?

This Apollo reverse type was introduced by Valerian. It probably copies a statue that used to stand in the temple of Apollo Medicus (see P. Hill. The Monuments of Ancient Rome as Coin Types. Seaby, London, 1989, p. 85):

RomValerianIAntoninianApollo.png.29233e85484cc2b5325c37463988e017.png

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.

I collect references to the Germanic tribes on Roman coins. This early coin of Valerian refers to a victory against a Germanic enemy, although it is not quite clear which conflict exactly is referenced. Considering that the type was only struck at Viminacium, the repelled trans-Danubian attack on Thessaloniki, which probably took place in 253/254 AD, seems a plausible candidate. Historians have argued that a Gothic force might have crossed the limes between Singidunum and Viminacium, made its way to Stobi and then marched south to Thessalonike. A battle that took place in this context might have inspired this reverse type:

RomValerianIAntoninianVictoriaGermania.png.1704f4f68336e7637e51ddcb71dbfca6.png

Valerian I, Roman Empire, AR/BI antoninian, 253 AD, Viminacium (?) mint. Obv: IMP P LIC VALERIANO AVG; bust of Valerian I, radiate, draped, cuirassed r. Rev: VICTORIA GERMANICA Victory standing l. holding palm and resting r. hand on shield; at feet, captive. 21mm, 4.08g. Ref: RIC V Valerian 264 (for Milan); MIR 36, 793d.

Vulcan is rarely represented on Roman coins. This issue of Valerian from the Cologne mint is the exception. It is part of a series of reverse types that show deities in a temple structure. These reverses might have referenced actual sanctuaries located in the Rhine provinces:

RomValerianIAntoninianVulcanDEOVOLKANO.png.1786f4e3b74363cb1da73d86d8f62a06.png

Valerian I, Roman Empire, AR antoninianus, 258 AD, Cologne (?) mint. Obv: Obv: VALERIANVS P F AVG; bust of Valerian I, radiate, draped, l. Rev: DEO VOLKANO; Vulcan, draped, wearing pilos, standing l. in temple, holding hammer in r. hand and pincers in l. hand; at his feet l., anvil. 22mm, 3.16g. Ref: RIC V Valerian 5.

Edited by Ursus
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Yes, Valerian now !

Here's a very scarce as of his with a Jupiter holding thunderbolt reverse

6f371c8c0eeb41fc8b469d0f441fd964.jpg

Valerian, As - Rome mint, AD 255-258
IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. S - C in field
10.0 gr
Ref : RCV # 10032, Cohen # 96

Q

Edited by Qcumbor
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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

1-ValerianI-ant06b.jpg.f160d584c5aedeef7810b93b1829ed24.jpg

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)

2-ValerianI-ant07xb.jpg.4c48e45b97fd494225ea20bb16ca0079.jpg

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

3-ValerianI-ant02b.jpg.8e7ed6b8099bda728ccbccf2ee724bf4.jpg

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)

 

 

4-ValerianI-ant03a.jpg.c4317d92c20e8ed9ed4d3740de95a6ac.jpg

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

5-ValerianI-ant01b.jpg.56204d37ea24b492de27c5c54dc8899b.jpg

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

 

Edited by lrbguy
emphasis added
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