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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,343 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Picked this up a couple of days ago - always on the look out for these, the only coin type I collect obsessively   FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C - Bust right, Laureate.
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI - Genius, naked standing left, modus on head holding patera and cornucopiae.
11.25 grams 26mm. Minted in a continental field mint by Lyon workers 296AD. RIC VI Lyon 17a (p243).It came in a lot of 8 coins which were mostly low quality but some were reasonable:  This also arrived last week (sorry for the poor picture), not rare but a lesser seen SPQR reverse of Licinius, even in poor shape these can cost more than you might think. On top of the three standards on the reverse are a hand, an eagle and a wreath. I'm not sure as to the significance to this, despite looking around the web   I probably now need to stop buying for a while, January has proved happy hunting on ebay once again but I've bought about 150 cash coins and around 50 Romans since Christmas, that should be enough to keep me happy for a while. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
All of them seem nice enough, but the Constantius is very nice including the green patina (almost looks like paint - I have a couple with this same kind of coloring).
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Thanks, I did think about trying to remove it but it looks great in hand. IMHO it looks as it should, I guess we'd all look a little green after 1717 years!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I don't think it would take that long. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Great coins!! The 1st one is fantastic, green patina and all:D
The eagle on the standard is really neat. I could be wrong but wasn't it pretty "standard";) to have an eagle on top of each legions standard. I have read that each legion had its own standard and that even when damaged in battle it would be repaired; also the standard was defended vehemently by each legion because the standard symbolized the Genius of each legion.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Nice group of coins,like the green patina. You been busy buying lately.
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Valued Member
United States
167 Posts |
Quote:
Picked this up a couple of days ago - always on the look out for these, the only coin type I collect obsessively .........
FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C - Bust right, Laureate.
GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI - Genius, naked standing left, modus on head holding patera and cornucopiae.
11.25 grams 26mm. Minted in a continental field mint by Lyon workers 296AD. RIC VI Lyon 17a (p243). What a great, very hard to come by, coin Ian- congratulations! That is one of the nicest examples I have seen - nicely centered, well struck and with a wonderful patina. Please do not clean this coin in any way, Ian - you will decrease it's value significally if you do. Edit added: Don't forget this coin is cataloged under the Lugdunum Mint in RIC, Ian. James Edited by jamesicus
01/23/2013 11:12 am
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Valued Member
United States
167 Posts |
I am posting these images of my Constantius, RIC VI Lugdunum 17a coin - not in any way meant to compete with yours, Ian, but to illustrate this coin in pristine condition with its fully silvered wash. This coin cost me "an arm and a leg" ($600 some fifteen years ago), however, I would love to have your coin for I am also a "sucker" for well patinated Roman coins. James
 
Actual size of coin
Edited by jamesicus
01/23/2013 11:50 am
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Valued Member
United States
167 Posts |
Here is my Maximian Herculius (Maximianus), RIC VI Lugdunum 14b coin that has a subdued patina (that I also like), Ian. James
 
Actual size of coin
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Quote:
I am posting these images of my Constantius, RIC VI Lugdunum 17a coin
A superb example of the type James, stunning. I still have my die match 17a of yours but it looks like mine had a considerably harder 'life'   |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Great coin- must look up invasion coinage.
James - I think your 'actual size' bit is a bit screwy - those things are nearly 30mm!
And a word on the legions eagle -
The standard was known as the legions 'eagle'. In literature, you would read about the legions standard bearer defending his eagle. These were defended to the last and when an eagle was lost it was a really big deal.
In fact, Rome spent several decades trying to recover a lost Eagle captured at the battle of Teutoburg Forest. In grave circumstances, the eagle bearer would break the eagle from the staff and conceal it to get away.
Another interesting thng is that the eagle would identify the legion by a banner beneath it - in this way, a soldier could follow his cohort from afar. In Caesars The Conquest Of Gaul (a very interesting book) a battle was nearly lost due to soldier getting confused and falling in under another cohorts standard!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I understand the eagle and even maybe the wreath, but what about the hand (Manus) on a standard?
Hand of god?
Edited by bobbyhelmet
01/23/2013 1:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Hmmm...the wreath is probably a laurel wreath, which is a symbol of humble victory. The competitors at the ancient olympics fought not for medals, but for a laurel wreath - its all about being the best of the best.
The hand - well, this is from Constantius, so it could be Manus Deus or it could be victory's hand - it could even be an 'imperatorial gesture'.
Lots of interesting stuff online about the standards - there may have been as few as 40 issued in 100BC and those standards may have never been replaced - no wonder they were so tetchy about keeping hold of it!
--> Oh! Perhaps the wreath is a globe - these symbolise Rome's victory over the world.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Quote:
History of the Roman Standard - The Manus
The Manus was the open hand at the top of the maniple standard signifying the oath of loyalty taken by the soldiers. The manus would sometimes have a laurel wreath added if the maniple troop had been recognised for this honor. http://www.roman-colosseum.info/rom...standard.htmThis site also has a lot of interesting info. |
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Valued Member
United States
167 Posts |
Hi Ben. Quote:
Great coin- must look up invasion coinage ..... I have a page Invasion Coinage on my Britannic Coinage of Constantius website devoted to this. Quote:
James - I think your 'actual size' bit is a bit screwy - those things are nearly 30mm!
No the 'actual size' depiction is pretty close (not exact for it is hard to duplicate precisely) - 27mm in hand. James Edited by jamesicus
01/23/2013 2:10 pm
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,343 |
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Posted 01/23/2013 09:21 am
