Saturday, December 17, 2005
Billon antoninianus, Valerian, Antioch, Göbl 1557a
IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, Radiate draped cuirassed bust right | P M TR P II COS P P, Emperor, veiled, standing left, sacrificing from patera over altar with right hand, holding scepter in left.
While some provincial coins are explicitly dated, imperials are not. Still, the emperor's titles can provide an implicit date. Valerian held the Tribunicia potestate for the second time during September 253 — September 254.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Æ20, Ephesus in Ionia, Valerian II, SNG Copenhagen 539
KOPN VAΛEPIANOC KAI, Laureate draped bust right | EΦEC_IΩN, Two boys playing knucklebones (astragaloi), behind (above) the cult-statue of Artemis Ephesia.
The same reverse design is used on a coin of the nearby island of Samos. Whether both cities shared a mint at this time isn't known.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Billon antoninianus, Gallienus, Viminacium, Göbl 845o
IMP GALLIENVS P F AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right | VICT GERM, Victoria advancing left, raising wreath in right hand, palm over left shoulder. Captive at feet left.
An image meant to reassure the populace: Romans triumphant, wreath of victory displayed along with the palm of restored peace, troublesome barbarian brought low.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Æ18, Aradus in Phoenicia, after 259 BCE, cf. Sear Greek 5999
Turreted head of Tyche right | Prow left
The legend beneath the prow is Phoenician, though I have no translation for it. This is an unusually thick coins, over 3.5mm, weighing as much as a modern US nickel and penny together with a diameter about equal to that of a dime.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Æ25, Nicaea in Bithynia, Salonina, SNG Copenhagen 542var
KOPN CAΛΩNEINA CEB, Diademed draped bust right | NIKA_IEΩN, Gallienus and Valerian, radiate and wearing military oufits, standing face-to-face, clasping hands and holding spears; Homonia standing right, behind.
Some catalogues suggest the figure at the right might be Salonina, but I think that while she might be seen on a coin of her husband, it'd be quite a surprise to see her on a coin of her father-in-law.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Billon antoninianus, Valerian II, Rome, Göbl 263b
DIVO CAES VALERIANO, Radiate head right | CONSECRATIO, Eagle standing facing with wings open, head pointed up.
Peacocks on coins of dead and deified women, eagles (or commemorative shrines) on those of men.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Æ21, Alexandria Troas, Gallienus, SNG Copenhagen 206
IMP LICIN GALLIEN, Laureate draped bust right | COL[...] TRO, Horse grazing right, underneath tree.
I'm tired, work has been busy this week and I find myself unable to come up with even a brief poorly written sentence or two on this coin. Look at the horsey!
