expat Posted February 6 · Supporter Share Posted February 6 This was picked up for only 2 Euros as it is not in good condition. The reason I acquired it is for the reverse, it is much better than the obverse. Claudius II AE Antoninianus. Cyzicus mint, 268-270 AD. IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, (sometimes 1-3 dots beneath bust) / VICTOR GERMAN, two captives bound and seated back to back either side of trophy. RIC 247, Cohen 289. Weight: 3.29 gr. Diameter: 19.1 mm. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis JJ Posted February 6 · Supporter Share Posted February 6 (edited) Good coin! Here's mine with the legend, VICTORIAE GOTHIC. These ones are his namesake Gothic captives (he was given the title Gothicus after defeating them in the Battle of Naissus) (I still need the GERMAN type like yours, which I believe reference his victories over the Alemanni in the Battle of Lake Benacus, shortly after Naissus.) Edited February 6 by Curtis JJ 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted February 6 · Patron Share Posted February 6 That's a cool reverse type, @expat! I sometimes think it would be fun to specialize in Claudius II coins. There are a variety of bust types, several different mints, and many reverse varieties, and most of them are inexpensive. One could make a lot of progress in about three or four years by scouring the budget auctions on biddr. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 7 · Member Share Posted February 7 That is such a great buy for 2 euros! It’s amazing to me… even thousands of coins later… that we can buy these little pieces of history for so little. Here is my VICTORIAE GOTHIC coin, one of my favorite Claudius II coins. I also agree about Claudius II as a focus or side collection. There are so many fun coins that people often ignore. …and here’s my budget VICTOR GERMAN that came to me for $4.50 including shipping! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis JJ Posted February 7 · Supporter Share Posted February 7 (edited) 3 hours ago, Roman Collector said: I sometimes think it would be fun to specialize in Claudius II coins That would be the Finn Johannessen Collection! I try to collect at least one coin from single-ruler specialist collectors. For Probus, there's P. Gysen; Gordian III, G. His; Otho, J. Muona; Hadrian, E. ten Brink; Trajan Decius, W. Behnen... I'm sure there are others, but I've collected at least one from each of those. The logic being, "If you're gonna have just one Probus, make it an ex-Gysen coin." I've got more than one Claudius II, but still need to add an F. Johannessen coin. His article, ""Just my Claudius II Ant’s worth," appeared in the Oct 2002 issue of The Celator (Vol. 16, No. 10). https://social.vcoins.com/files/file/187-vol-16-no-10-october-2002/ Here is CNG's writeup: CNG is proud to present the first installation of the Finn Johannessen Collection of coins of Claudius II Gothicus. This specialized collection was formed over the last two decades, with the collector carefully and patiently seeking out choice and rare specimens (bidders should take note of the large number of extraordinarily rare and seemingly unique types). The majority of coins being offered are cited in RIC V Online (http://www.ric.mom.fr) – the groundwork for the much-needed revision of Mattingly and Sydenham's now ninety-year old publication of RIC V.I – with the Johannessen collection forming an important supplement to the coins housed in the principal institutional collections. Dr. Jerome Mairat, co-author of the forthcoming revision of RIC V.I, has also published a number of specimens from the collection. Of the numerous emperors that ruled during the "crisis of the 3rd century," the Ilyrian-born Claudius Gothicus was one of the most remarkable (as well as one of a small number that did not meet a violent death). Claudius climbed the ranks of the Roman army, eventually becoming deputy during the tumultuous reign of Gallienus, when Rome was forced to wage war on a dizzying number of fronts. In the summer of AD 268, Gallienus was besieging Milan, seat of Aureolus, a supporter of the Gallic emperor Postumus, when a contingent of Gallienus' troops murdered the emperor. Ancient historical accounts of the plot differ, with some implicating Claudius and others expressly denying his involvement. Regardless of who was the mastermind behind the coup, troops quickly declared Claudius emperor. During this time of intense crisis, Claudius' tough, no-nonsense approach to military affairs and enormous physical stature made him popular with both soldiers and civilians. His defeat of the Goths at the Battle of Naïssus (modern Niš, Serbia), however, elevated him to legendary status. While very little is known about the details of the battle, it was a resounding victory for the Romans, with perhaps as many as 50,000 Goths either killed or taken captive. Claudius received the title "Gothicus" as a result of this decisive victory and, shortly thereafter, the title "Germanicus Maximus" for his victory over the Alamanni and Juthungi at the Battle of Lake Benacus. With two resounding victories under his belt, the emperor next set his sights on Vandal tribes that were plundering Pannonia. Poised to restore the Empire to its former glory, Claudius fell victim to plaque, possibly smallpox, and died in January of AD 270. Edited February 7 by Curtis JJ 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted February 9 · Member Share Posted February 9 (edited) At 2 euros this is a real bargain. The VICTOR GERMAN reverse commemorates the battle at Lake Benacus (Lake Garda), which Claudius won in November 268 against Germanic Alamanni and Juthungi, who had invaded and pillaged northern Italy. The victory earned Claudius the title Germanicus Maximus. The top coin below has the VICTOR GERMAN reverse. The VICTOR GERMAN reverse is much scarcer than the VICTORIAE GOTHIC reverse. I suppose the victory over the Goths at Naissus was much more significant. Indeed, this must have been more than one single battle, as the coin legend revers to victories over the Goths. Here are a few examples from my collection, but with rare bust types (2-4 below): Edited February 9 by Tejas 5 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted February 10 · Supporter Share Posted February 10 VICTORIA GOTHIC(A) Antoninianus of Claudius II... 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Julius Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 @Tejas Wow, all of those are great. If you let me pick one, I’d take that third one with the shield. That’s my favorite! @Octavius I like that one as well. It’s got the SPQR mint mark that I wish mine had. (No mark on mine) A great portrait too! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted February 10 · Member Share Posted February 10 7 hours ago, Octavius said: VICTORIA GOTHIC(A) Antoninianus of Claudius II... Great coin! The legend is VICTORIAE GOTHIC(AE), though. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qcumbor Posted February 10 · Supporter Share Posted February 10 Some great examples ( @Octavius 😮!) Sadly, I don't have a Victor German example, and only a modest Victoriae Gothic one : Claudius II "Gothicus", Antoninianus - Cyzicus mint, 269 CE IMP CLAVDIUS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. VICTORIAE GOTHIC, Two captives leaning besides a trophy. 3.08 gr Ref : RCV # 11381; RIC V pt. 1 # 252; Cohen # 308 Q 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted February 10 · Supporter Share Posted February 10 (edited) Nice find, @expat! I only have the more common VICTORIAE GOTHIC type, albeit in pretty style and condition: Claudius II Gothicus, Roman Empire, BI antoninian, 268–270 AD, Kyzikos mint. Obv: IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG; bust of Claudius Gothicus, radiate, draped, r. Rev: VICTORIAE GOTHIC; trophy between two seated captives; in exergue, SPQR. 20mm, 2,58g. Ref: RIC V Claudius Gothicus 252. Edited February 10 by Ursus 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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