Doug,
I have wanted one of those for years but have always failed to take the plunge because there has never been an example ncie enough in my price range. I have taken the long view on this and decided that some day I will find one that I will be happy to buy but I am in no hurry.
Your idea about coins that are nice on one side but not the other bring the following coin to mind. It is a recent purchase. The reverse has suffered greatly with corrosion. The obverse is still quite sharp however, having a good strike and centering from a relatively fresh die and about 60% of the silvering remaining. It is also an interesting bust type. The military busts for Maximianus Herculius are generally scarcer at Lugdunum and this particular bust type is only known from this obverse die with this being the third known example. I can forgive the train wreck of a reverse for the bust.
Maximianus Herculius, Antoninianus
Obv:-- IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG, Radiate, draped bust left (seen from rear), holding shield and spear
Rev:-- PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (//S). Emission 6, Officina 2. Autumn A.D. 289 to start A.D. 290
Reference:-- Cohen 455. Bastien 281 (2 examples cited, both from the same obverse die). RIC 402.
Regards,
Martin
Posted 07/24/2012 09:09 am
