Friday, March 30, 2007
Æ tetradrachm, Alexandria, Gallienus, Emmett 3804(15)
AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, Laureate cuirassed bust right | LIE, Eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath. Palm branch right, regnal year left.
A poor-quality example of the eagle that was used at Alexandria even before the Romans ruled Egypt.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Æ antoninianus, Gallienus, Mediolanum, Göbl 1147o
GALLIENVS AVG, Radiate head right, slight drapery on both shoulders | VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing left, holding reversed spear right and shield left.
There's plenty of detail visible here, but clearly quite a lot of discoloring minerals are deposited on the coin. Virtus here shows, not the appearance of a then-current Roman soldier but how the Romans saw the soldier of antiquity.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Æ23, Tranquillina, Deultum in Thrace, Moushmov 3750
CAB TΡANKVIΛΛEINA C, Diademed and draped bust right | COΛ ΦΛ PAC ΔEVΛT, Homonia standing left. Holding patera and cornucopiae.
Sabina Tranquillina was the wife of Gordian III and, living without scandal, is followed by no fame. She survived her husband and continued without scandal.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Æ tetradrachm, Alexandria, Gallienus, Emmett 3810(13)
AYT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CEB, Laureate draped bust right | LIΓ, Eirene standing left, holding branch left and transverse scepter. Palm in right field. Regnal year in left field.
Eirene was the Greek equivalent of the Roman Pax, the goddess of peace and prosperity.
Monday, March 26, 2007
AR antoninianus, Mariniana, Viminacium, Göbl 850b
DIVAE MARINIANAE, Veiled draped bust right on crescent | CONSECRATIO, Mariniana on peacock flying right.
Telling the difference between similar Mariniana coins issued from Rome and those from Viminacium is challenging but such topics fascinate the dedicated collector.
